ORLANDO, Fla. — The Cognizant Classic has earned a reputation over the years for being among the toughest events on the PGA Tour due to its typically challenging course conditions, a fact highlighted by its history at PGA National. From 2007, when it first arrived there, only seven players managed to finish in double digits under par, including two runners-up.
Arnold Palmer, a legendary figure in golf, took notice of these challenges. For over a decade, Bay Hill, his cherished course, saw its winners average around 15-under par; Tiger Woods claimed four of these victories, including a notable performance where he achieved 19-under, despite enduring a tough final round due to illness.
In a bold move in 2007, Palmer adjusted Bay Hill to a par 70 course by changing two of the par 5 holes into par 4s. This didn’t significantly alter winning scores; Woods secured a win at 5-under 275 in 2009, similar to his 13-under 275 win in 2002, despite the technical changes.
The intrigue with exact winning scores misses the broader trend in golf: as player skills improve and technology advances, scores are naturally getting lower. This was exemplified when Jake Knapp opened with an impressive 59 last week, while Joe Highsmith wrapped up the weekend with back-to-back 64s, marking a new highlight at PGA National with his 19-under 265.
The overseeding of Bermuda grass with rye was a major factor, softening the course and giving it a greener look. Coupled with calm weather, these conditions facilitated lower scores that sparked varied reactions. Billy Horschel commented on the conditions being ripe for scoring yet emphasized the skill still required to perform well.
Jack Nicklaus, seasoned both as a legendary player and a prolific course designer, remarked that good conditions paired with benign weather can lead to exceptional scores, which is perfectly acceptable in his view. He believes a course should allow for good play while maintaining its challenge when conditions are tougher.
This narrative of evolving scores ties into technological and athletic advancements. From better equipment to rigorous training, today’s golfers, like athletes in other sports, continuously raise the standards of competition. Distinctly designed suits in swimming and high-tech shoes in running reflect similar progress in pursuits outside of golf.
Though shooting a 59 is becoming less rare, it remains a notable milestone, reminding us of Johnny Miller’s historic 63 at the 1973 U.S. Open. Similar feats by Nicklaus, Tom Weiskopf, Tommy Fleetwood, and more recently, Xander Schauffele and Rickie Fowler, underscore this gradual norm shift.
Rory McIlroy highlighted in 2017 that these improvements are due to using technology and data, aiding modern players to outperform past generations. This scientific and data-driven approach in golf encompasses everything from swing dynamics to on-course nutrition.
Recent tournaments have illustrated this trend — calmer winds in Kapalua allowed record-breaking scores, while challenging gusts at Torrey Pines tested players differently. Concurrently, PGA National’s softer, calmer conditions proved conducive to low scoring.
Reflecting on these changes, Jordan Spieth commented on the high-quality play under perceived easier conditions. Though his own performance at 14-under par saw him finished behind several others, he acknowledged the exceptional golf on display.
Ultimately, as golf continues to evolve, the conversation should focus on recognizing lower scores as reflective of this natural progression, embracing the excitement and excellence they embody.
