In the second round of the 2026 Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches, Brooks Koepka shot a 5-under 66 to get to 2-under after 36 holes, making his second cut of the season.
The PGA TOUR kicks off its Florida swing at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, returning to PGA National Resort (Champion Course), one of the circuit’s most demanding and recognizable venues. Defending champion Joe Highsmith looks to repeat after last year’s breakthrough 19-under performance, where he rallied from four shots back with two rounds of 64 on the weekend to win by two. He’ll attempt to become the first back-to-back winner of the event since Jack Nicklaus in 1977-78. Brooks Koepka headlines the field, making his ninth start at PGA National, where his best finish was a runner-up in 2019. Ryan Gerard arrives as the highest-ranked player in the field in both the FedExCup standings and Official World Golf Ranking following consecutive runner-up finishes to open the season. Shane Lowry and Max Homa add further depth to a competitive lineup. The Champion Course (par 71, 7,223 yards) remains a formidable test, with water in play on 15 holes and the decisive “Bear Trap” stretch (Nos. 15-17) once again set to play a pivotal role down the stretch.
We need birdie here. I can tell you that for sure. Get it started somewhat kind of rhythm.
Boy, Brooks Koepke coming through the maze now. Yeah, pretty narrow shoot that he had to go
from there from 227. He got that pretty clean. Man, that's going to be a good shot there just
short of the green. Great shot. Around the greens, Brooks Koepke was 121st in the field, 111th in
putting. But John, a pretty good chip here and he'll have a short putt. Yeah, just inside right,
nice solid putt. Staying with the mallet putter and good birdie there to start. On the tee at 11
coming off the birdie. And no surprise seeing less than driver here and this one up the left
side. I believe it's going to catch the fairway. Looked like he got a nice hop. It took a hop,
expect probably a very similar shot. Take it a little past, a little left,
pull the string. It's on the same line as Berger's golf ball and a quality shot there.
But it's better than blaming yourself. This is for par. That is needed. That's what we need.
This is a pitching wedge on the way. Really good line.
And this putt now for Koepke. It is working downhill and should work a little to the
right at the end. Wait a minute, who is this guy? Yeah, I'm telling you. Brooks Koepke on the tee.
Yeah, that one is headed up the right. That's going to need some kind of a break.
It's in the second at 13. Looks like he hit a low chaser back to it.
Something like that. Now that he's making everything too. I mean,
pick it up. There's that cross-handed to regular grip move. Made another one right in the middle.
Well, this is a nine iron for Brooks. This is 163 today. Wind pretty good out of the right.
And this is just at the flag. Good looking shot.
It's really good. He's got this on an aggressive line. Good looking shot. Beautiful shot. Boy,
I mean, we talked about it yesterday. Just that view of the golf swing. It is.
Look at that roll right there. Yes, sir. He is feeling it with the putter. And we had a
great look there. We talked about how he kind of sets that line inside.
And it's just another great strike. This one right at the flag again.
Blushing it. John, I mean, I know you've spent a lot of time with Brooks out there on the golf
course and you've seen it, but this to me looks like the best he's swung. Don't want to compound
the mistakes. Nice clean contact. And this is in good position now for Brooks. Such an awkward layup.
You just don't see the layup area. It sits down. It's hard to believe this property is so flat.
Flatten this in real low. Don't want to carry it too far. So well done. It's kind of what we said
though. We needed to see this out of Brooks and that's a great front nine there to start his
second round. Yeah, feeling like maybe he's getting a little bit of help off the left.
Feels mostly off the left to me, but he's giving this one the full treatment, turning on a nice
line. He hit it hard and he was correct. Good club. Great shot. Pick it up. Less than driver
here for Koepke. Our tracing technology provided by TrackMan. That is pelted. 292 carry with a
three wood. Thank you very much. Straighter train smoke as well. You know it. And then turn pro on
PGA Tour Canada as Koepke lets fly here at the fourth. And you know he was the fourth alternate
got in the field this week, but he only got his corn fairy status this year. And from 110 Brooks
Koepke. A little higher than the other two getting pushed to the right. Respectable. Yeah. Birdie
turned in 31 then went to the fourth hole. Another good approach shot here. This was the turnaround
for him. The putter today made 131 feet of putts. Koepke on the tee at six. That looks perfect to me.
And it is. Straight back up the slope. This is leaking a little left. That rode the breeze. He
was trying to hold that up against the breeze and knock something spin off and it turned over a
little bit. Rode that breeze and went way long. And that's pretty good. Well, it's awesome for speed.
Took a little more break on that upslope. Right in the back. Like a confident putter.
Close 20 feet. You've done some great work. Brooks' tee ball away. And this one is going
right at that bunker. Likely going to find it. I believe it did. Three feet further. Koepke out
of the bunker. Now this is just total strength right here guys to get this ball this far.
Fantastic golf shot. You saw him go at that one. Working up and a crest over a ridge here that
separates the back portion of this green. It'll turn left once it gets on top.
It's good looking putt. You know, this is first start of the season. Premier group too.
Yeah, absolutely. I mean just getting the getting the points. Nice finish there for Koepke.
All right, it's been a pleasure. Enjoy your lunch.
Always good to have Rocket on the ground. Gives you everything you need to know.
