Smotherman Fires 62 to Take Early Lead at Cognizant Classic

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Austin Smotherman carded a 9-under 62 on Thursday to take the early lead in the opening round of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches. This performance matched the best round of his career and marked a significant improvement from his previous appearance at the tournament in 2022, where he missed the cut.

A Course Playing Differently

The PGA National course is currently overseeded, a process that adds rye to the Bermudagrass, resulting in a greener and softer playing surface. This has led to lower scoring conditions compared to previous years. Mark Wilson won the tournament’s first year on the course with a score of 5 under, and 11 of the first 14 winners finished less than 10-under par. In the last five years, winning scores have steadily increased, reaching 19 under in 2023.

Smotherman’s Round

Smotherman’s round was highlighted by six consecutive birdies on holes 7 through 12. He finished with a birdie on the par-5 18th, achieving a 62 for the second time in his PGA TOUR career, previously accomplishing this at the Butterfield Bermuda Championship in October 2022. He has held a first-round lead once before, at the 2023 Vidanta World Mexico Open, but has yet to secure a win in 81 starts on TOUR.

Other Notable Scores

Nico Echavarria shot a 63 in the morning wave, while Taylor Moore and Jackson Suber both carded 67s. The wind picked up in the afternoon, potentially solidifying Smotherman’s lead.

Horschel on Course Conditions

Billy Horschel, who shot a 2-under 69, discussed the impact of the overseeding, noting that while it makes the course aesthetically pleasing, it also reduces the challenge. He acknowledged the role of course owners in determining course setup and conditions, stating that the TOUR provides input but ultimately respects the owner’s decisions.

Smotherman’s Approach

Smotherman is playing without a line on his ball this week, focusing on a more intuitive putting approach. He aims to trust his aim and speed, allowing the ball to find its way into the hole.