Sun Mar 02 18:50:00 UTC 2025: **PGA National’s Softened Course Yields Record-Breaking Score, Sparks Debate**
PALM BEACHES, FL – Jake Knapp’s stunning 12-under-par 59 at the Cognizant Classic on Thursday, the 15th sub-60 round in PGA Tour history, has ignited a debate about the course conditions at PGA National. The course, renowned for its challenging layout, underwent overseeding in 2023, resulting in softer greens and lower scores.
While Knapp’s exceptional round delighted some, including course designer Jack Nicklaus, other players voiced concerns. Billy Horschel criticized the lack of wind and insufficiently penal rough, suggesting a return to the original Bermuda grass would create a more challenging test. Jordan Spieth also noted the relatively easy pin placements contributed to the low scoring.
Nicklaus, however, defended the course’s current state, stating that a course shouldn’t prevent good players from posting low scores. He contrasted Thursday’s low scores with a scenario where only a 3-under-par score would be the best, indicating a course that is too difficult. Despite his approval of the lower scores, Nicklaus admitted he would prefer the more difficult course of the past.
The tournament’s previous winners also shot low scores, with Chris Kirk winning at 14 under in 2023 and Austin Eckroat at 17 under last year, suggesting the trend of low scoring is consistent. This year’s winner is expected to post similarly low scores, indicating a potential shift in the tournament’s character. The debate highlights the ongoing tension between creating a visually appealing course and maintaining a challenging playing experience.
First Piper 