Knapp Stumbles in Final Round To Hand Victory To Highsmith At The Cognizant
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On March 2, 2025, the final round of the PGA Tour’s Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches unfolded at PGA National Resort’s Champion Course, delivering a thrilling conclusion to the first event of the Florida Swing. Joe Highsmith emerged as the champion, securing his maiden PGA Tour victory with a remarkable performance that saw him finish at 19-under par for the tournament, two strokes ahead of the field. Highsmith’s weekend surge was nothing short of spectacular—after barely making the cut with a one-under score through two rounds, he fired back-to-back 64s on Saturday and Sunday, showcasing exceptional ball-striking and composure on the challenging par-71 layout.
Entering the final round, Jake Knapp held a one-shot lead at 15-under, bolstered by his historic 59 in the opening round. However, Knapp faltered on Sunday, carding a two-over 73, which dropped him to a tie for sixth at 15-under alongside Russell Henley and Michael Kim. Highsmith capitalized on Knapp’s struggles, stringing together four consecutive birdies from holes 12 to 15, navigating the infamous Bear Trap (holes 15-17) with precision to seize the lead. His steady play down the stretch, including a clutch par save on the final hole, sealed the victory.
Jacob Bridgeman and J.J. Spaun finished tied for second at 17-under, while Max McGreevy and Ben Griffin rounded out the top five at 16-under. Notable contenders like Jordan Spieth, making his Cognizant debut, and Rickie Fowler stayed in the mix early but couldn’t mount a serious challenge. Highsmith’s win, the first by a player making the cut on the number in nine years, netted him $1.656 million and 500 FedExCup points. The tournament, broadcast on Golf Channel and NBC, highlighted Highsmith’s breakout moment, marking him as a rising star on the PGA Tour.