Cognizant Classic Tee Times: Who's Playing When and Where to Watch
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Alright, let’s cut to the chase. The 2026 Cognizant Classic is kicking off this Thursday at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens. You want to know who’s hitting the links when, and where you can catch the action? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve got the full rundown of Thursday’s opening round tee times.Yeah, I know. Some big names bailed. Happens. But don’t get all bent out of shape. There’s still plenty of talent lining up to take a crack at this thing. Keep an eye on Brooks Koepka, for starters. He’s making his third start of the 2026 PGA Tour season. This is his comeback tour, post-LIV Golf. So far, it hasn’t been exactly fireworks – a T56 at the Farmers and a missed cut at Phoenix. This week’s a prime opportunity for him to shake off that rust. But he’s not the only horse in the barn. You’ve got guys like Will Zalatoris, Shane Lowry, and Max Homa who know how to get it done.Koepka is set to tee off at 12:23 p.m. ET for the opening round. Who’s he paired with? None other than Zalatoris and Daniel Berger. Should be a solid group to follow.If you’re planning to watch, the first round coverage on Thursday runs from 2-6 p.m. ET on Golf Channel. And if you’re an early riser or just want to catch every single shot, PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ starts bright and early at 6:45 a.m. ET. They’ll also have featured groups and holes if you’re really dedicated.So, without further ado, here are the complete Round 1 tee times and groupings for the Cognizant Classic. Get your betting slips ready, or just settle in for some golf.
Thursday Tee Times: The Full Breakdown
We’ve got the entire list broken down by tee. No more digging around. This is what you came for.
Tee No. 1
* 6:45 a.m. – Taylor Moore, Harry Higgs, Hank Lebioda
* 6:57 a.m. – Matthieu Pavon, Adam Hadwin, Doug Ghim
* 7:09 a.m. – Lee Hodges, Matt Wallace, Mac Meissner
* 7:21 a.m. – Brendon Todd, Kevin Streelman, Vince Whaley
* 7:33 a.m. – Steven Fisk, Nico Echavarria, Kevin Yu
* 7:45 a.m. – Davis Thompson, Stephan Jaeger, Webb Simpson
* 7:57 a.m. – Nick Dunlap, K.H. Lee, Chad Ramey
* 8:09 a.m. – Adrien Saddier, Paul Waring, Christo Lamprecht
* 8:21 a.m. – Jimmy Stanger, Neal Shipley, Jeffrey Kang
* 8:33 a.m. – Austin Smotherman, Jordan Smith, Chandler BlanchetThen there’s a bit of a break before the afternoon wave.* 11:35 a.m. – Mark Hubbard, Eric Cole, Alex Smalley
* 11:47 a.m. – Gary Woodland, Brandt Snedeker, David Lipsky
* 11:59 a.m. – Emiliano Grillo, Kevin Roy, Danny Walker
* 12:11 p.m. – Michael Brennan, Ryan Gerard, Max Homa
* 12:23 p.m. – Brooks Koepka, Will Zalatoris, Daniel Berger
* 12:35 p.m. – Tom Kim, Michael Thorbjornsen, Rasmus Højgaard
* 12:47 p.m. – Patton Kizzire, Andrew Putnam, Kristoffer Reitan
* 12:59 p.m. – Haotong Li, Marcelo Rozo, Davis Chatfield
* 1:11 p.m. – Jesper Svensson, Kensei Hirata, Luke Clanton
* 1:23 p.m. – Isaiah Salinda, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, A.J. Ewart
Tee No. 10
And over on the other side of the course, here’s who’s kicking off from the 10th tee.* 6:45 a.m. – Austin Eckroat, Danny Willett, Beau Hossler
* 6:57 a.m. – Camilo Villegas, Joel Dahmen, Sam Ryder
* 7:09 a.m. – Adam Svensson, Rico Hoey, Max McGreevy
* 7:21 a.m. – Aaron Rai, Shane Lowry, Billy Horschel
* 7:33 a.m. – Garrick Higgo, Karl Vilips, Davis Riley
* 7:45 a.m. – Joe Highsmith, Chris Kirk, Keith Mitchell
* 7:57 a.m. – Rafael Campos, Nicolai Højgaard, S.H. Kim
* 8:09 a.m. – Jackson Suber, Johnny Keefer, Blades Brown
* 8:21 a.m. – Ricky Castillo, Adrien Dumont de Chassart, Keita Nakajima
* 8:33 a.m. – Patrick Fishburn, Zach Bauchou, Sudarshan YellamarajuAgain, a gap before the afternoon start.* 11:35 a.m. – Erik van Rooyen, Justin Lower, Carson Young
* 11:47 a.m. – Peter Malnati, Brice Garnett, Lanto Griffin
* 11:59 a.m. – Matti Schmid, Dylan Wu, Takumi Kanaya
* 12:11 p.m. – Adam Schenk, William Mouw, Aaron Wise
* 12:23 p.m. – Sami Valimaki, Cam Davis, Matt Kuchar
* 12:35 p.m. – Mackenzie Hughes, Thorbjørn Olesen, Chandler Phillips
* 12:47 p.m. – Seamus Power, Charley Hoffman, Christiaan Bezuidenhout
* 12:59 p.m. – Kris Ventura, Dan Brown, Pontus Nyholm
* 1:11 p.m. – Alejandro Tosti, Frankie Capan III, John VanDerLaan
* 1:23 p.m. – Chan Kim, John Parry, Gordon Sargent
* 1:35 p.m. – Zecheng Dou, David Ford, Justin Hicks
Key Players to Watch in Round 1
So, who should you be keeping an eye on? We’ve already mentioned Koepka and Zalatoris. They’re in that marquee 12:23 p.m. ET group off the first tee. That’s a solid watch right there.Then you’ve got guys like Max Homa, who’s always a threat and tends to play well in Florida. He’s in the 12:11 p.m. ET group on the first tee, playing with Michael Brennan and Ryan Gerard.Shane Lowry, a proven winner, is also in the mix. He’s set to go off at 7:21 a.m. ET from the 10th tee, alongside Aaron Rai and Billy Horschel. That’s an early start, but you know Lowry can get hot.Don’t sleep on some of the other solid players scattered throughout the field. You’ve got former major champions and plenty of guys who have tasted victory on tour. It’s always a good bet that someone you’re not expecting will make a run. That’s the beauty of golf, right?
Where to Catch the Action
If you’re not lucky enough to be on the grounds at PGA National, here’s how you can tune in:* Golf Channel: Thursday, 2-6 p.m. ET. Standard broadcast coverage.
* PGA Tour Live on ESPN+: Early streaming coverage starts at 6:45 a.m. ET on Thursday. This is where you’ll get the most comprehensive viewing experience, including featured groups and holes.Make sure you check your local listings or streaming service for exact times and channels in your region.
Betting on the Cognizant Classic?
If you’re looking to place a wager on the tournament, there are a ton of options out there. Some sites are even offering special welcome bonuses. For instance, you might find deals like signing up for Fanatics Sportsbook with a code like “SUBPAR” to get a special offer. Always gamble responsibly, folks. Don’t bet the farm on a long shot, unless you’re feeling particularly bold.
PGA National: A Familiar Test
PGA National is no stranger to hosting top-tier golf. It’s known for its challenging layout, especially the infamous “Florida’s Natural” stretch of holes – Nos. 15, 16, and 17. Those three holes alone can make or break a tournament. Expect to see plenty of drama unfold there as the pressure mounts. Wind can be a huge factor on this course, so keep an eye on the weather forecast. A breezy day here can turn scoring into a real grind.The course demands precision off the tee and a solid short game. You can’t just bash it around and expect to score. Strategically placed hazards and undulating greens mean you have to think your way around the course.
What to Expect This Week
With some withdrawals, the field might not be as stacked as it could have been, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be exciting. Golf tournaments are unpredictable. You’ve got players trying to prove themselves, others looking to defend their status, and veterans aiming for one more big win.Koepka’s comeback story is definitely one to follow. His performance this week could be a major indicator of how the rest of his season will go. Will he find that major-championship form again? Or will he continue to struggle to regain his top gear? It’s a compelling narrative, for sure.Beyond the marquee names, there are always players who emerge from the pack. Keep an eye on the leaderboard throughout the day. You might discover a new favorite or see a dark horse making a serious charge. That’s the fun of it all.So, there you have it. The tee times are set. The players are ready. It’s time for some golf. Grab your snacks, settle in, and enjoy the opening round of the 2026 Cognizant Classic. Let’s see who comes out on top.