2024 Cognizant Classic: PGA Golf Betting Picks This Week

This week, Joe Cistaro breaks down PGA golf betting tips for the 2024 Cognizant Classic.

The PGATOUR begins the Florida swing at PGA National for the Cognizant Classic. Formerly known as the Honda Classic, the field for this event is stronger than it has been in years. With 19 of the top 50 golfers in the OWGR teeing it up, we might finally get a player from the top of the board to hoist a trophy. We covered the course in our betting preview. Let’s get to this week’s betting card.

The Cognizant Classic Odds at DraftKings Sportsbook

At the time of this writing – February 27th – you can find these odds at DraftKings Sportsbook. The below list features all golfers priced at 50/1 or better.

2024 Cognizant Classic: PGA Golf Betting Picks This Week

• Course:PGA National
• Date: February 29 – March 3
• Par: 71
• Yardage: 7,147
• Greens: Bermuda

Key Statistics

• SG: Approach
• Fairways Gained
• Driving Distance
• Bogey Avoidance
• Scrambling
• Proximity 150-175
• Proximity 175-200
• SG: Putting

Unless mentioned otherwise, all Strokes Gained statistics will be referenced over the player’s previous 24 rounds on the PGATOUR.

Sungjae Im +4000 (DraftKings)

With my card this week, I am going to lean a bit more on course history than most weeks. While recent form is important, a few of the golfers I plan to bet have been dreadful of late. The poor play has provided the opportunity to take advantage of price tags that we never would have seen over the last couple of years.

So, to start, I can’t dress this one up very well. Sungjae Im has struggled mightily of late all over the golf course. Last season, he was the favorite heading into this event with a phenomenal course history in Florida, coupling his excellent form. He still excels in Florida and on Bermuda grass, but his recent form has left plenty to be desired.

As a result, we are getting a number on Sungjae that I can’t believe is available. In our betting preview, Sungjae was 30-1 on the outright market. We now can bet him at 40-1 on both FanDuel and DraftKings. I can live with myself if this doesn’t work out.

Chris Kirk +4500 (FanDuel)

Speaking of course history over recent form, Chris Kirk has seen a bit of a downswing since his victory at the Sentry. Missing the cut at the Genesis, Kirk might see a turnaround at a course that started his run last season. Kirk outlasted Eric Cole in 2023 to win his first event in many years.

So, Kirk’s game obviously is suited for this course if he was able to win the event last season. While he hasn’t played especially well of late, he has mostly played in events with very deep fields. Even with Rory and a few other names atop the board, the field at the Cognizant Classic pales in comparison to that of the next couple of tournaments in Florida.

I think we grab this number and hope he can turn it around on friendly Bermuda grass.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout +6000 (Caesar’s)

Christiaan Bezuidenhot has been solid this season — taking a winner’s share at the American Express despite finishing second to an amateur. Bezuidenhout is not the longest or most accurate hitter off of the tee. However, he has a strong track record of avoiding bogeys and scrambling for pars.

If this course plays difficult — as it normally does — I prefer having a grinder or two on my card. In strong form, a 60-1 price tag feels like a bargain for C-Bez. He has made the cut in both of his starts at PGA National despite losing strokes around the greens in 2023. Don’t count on that happening again.

Doug Ghim +7000 (PointsBet)

In our betting preview, I mentioned that Doug Ghim has not played well at all at this event. So, for this card, consider Doug Ghim the only bet on recent form over history. Interestingly enough, Ghim has a strong record at THEPLAYERS Championship — another course littered with Bermuda grass.

Ghim is not going to win awards for his exploits with the flatstick. Identifying his best surface is a fool’s errand. However, his recent form is really, really good. He comes into this week ranked 21st in SG: Approach and top 10 in bogey avoidance, fairways, and proximity from 150-175. Ghim can get really hot on approach and provide himself with many opportunities. Whether or not he cashes in on these opportunities is the question.

At 70-1, I think he is worth a spot on this week’s card.

Billy Horschel +12500 (FanDuel)

Finally, our card for this article is normally four golfers with maybe an addition or two before players tee it up on Thursday. For me, I know that I am betting Billy Horschel before this tournament starts so I figured I would include him in this article.

I have no reason to bet on Billy Horschel this week except for an enormous price tag for a guy who plays exceptionally well in Florida. I have nothing else to add.

2024 Cognizant Classic Betting Card

Cognizant Classic Units: 1.7

2024 Net Units: -12.2

Good luck with all of your golf betting picks and DFS lineups this week.

Follow me on Twitter at @JoeCistaro to follow along with any additions, matchups, or top finishers I add to my outright betting card. Good luck with all of your wagers this week, and thanks for reading.