This week’s Cognizant Basic at PGA Nationwide alerts one factor, and one factor solely: The Masters is true across the nook.
We’re precisely six weeks from the primary tee pictures being struck at Augusta Nationwide, a vacation celebrated throughout the golf world. Between from time to time, the PGA Tour will maintain 4 occasions in Florida, together with The Gamers, and two extra in Texas earlier than roughly 89 gamers make their option to Augusta, Georgia, for an opportunity at profitable the Inexperienced Jacket.
It’s an thrilling time stuffed with hope and anticipation — a interval during which discussions surrounding the 2025 Masters ramp up. Who’s taking part in effectively? Who’s slumping? Who may very well be a darkish horse at Augusta this 12 months? These are all pertinent questions that the month of March helps reply.
Final 12 months, Scottie Scheffler received at Bay Hill after which stormed from behind to win The Gamers the next week. Each signal from the Florida Swing pointed to him profitable his second inexperienced jacket, which he did. We additionally noticed Ludvig Åberg play effectively in Florida, foreshadowing his runner-up end in his Masters debut.
This week’s Cognizant Basic doesn’t characteristic the likes of Scheffler and Åberg, although. It’s a weaker subject, as many high gamers have elected to skip PGA Nationwide in favor of subsequent week’s Signature Occasion on the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The Gamers follows instantly thereafter, leaving the Cognizant Basic because the odd man out as many don’t like competing three weeks in a row.
However contemplating this week’s event favors ball-strikers and accuracy off the tee — two essential traits for Augusta — keep watch over who performs effectively. Perhaps Shane Lowry will contend. Or may or not it’s Sepp Straka, Daniel Berger, or Ben Griffin?
Whoever does contend shall be a part of the preliminary conversations surrounding the 2025 Masters, which is an exhilarating growth.
The Azaleas and the Magnolias are virtually right here.
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. Comply with him on X @jack_milko.
