Because the PGA Tour begins its Florida swing on the Cognizant Traditional within the Palm Seashores on Thursday, Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and Daniel Berger are among the many names vying for a redeeming victory.
A pair of fan favorites, Spieth and Fowler, have dropped to Nos. 70 and 95, respectively, within the Official World Golf Rating amid tough stretches. Spieth continues to be working his manner again from August wrist surgical procedure and made his season debut earlier this month.
After tying for fourth on the WM Phoenix Open, he missed the lower on the Genesis Invitational, a signature occasion that solely lower 18 gamers. This will likely be his first time competing at PGA Nationwide Resort in Palm Seaside Gardens, Fla.
“It was very nice to get again after which even to get into competition one week,” Spieth stated. “So my purpose now, as we glance in direction of the Masters, is to attempt to play tough golf programs and work my manner into competition and simply see what I can enhance upon by the point we get to Augusta.”
Spieth hasn’t gained on tour since April 2022, whereas Fowler’s 2023 Rocket Mortgage Traditional is his solely victory this decade.
“Sport-wise, undoubtedly trending and on track,” Fowler stated. “Clearly final 12 months was again to taking part in some poor golf or not essentially profiting from some alternatives. Performed poorly on the weekends.
“Not an excellent begin this 12 months, however I really feel like I’ve seen lots of good issues, and I do know that I am no less than trending. That is a optimistic.”
This event is a “dwelling sport” for the various gamers like Fowler who reside in close by Jupiter, Fla. That goes double for Berger, a Florida native and Florida State alum.
As soon as ranked as excessive as No. 12 on the earth, Berger missed a few of 2022 and all of 2023 as he rehabbed a again damage. He ended a quiet 2024 season with a T2 end on the RSM Traditional and has gotten off to a high quality begin this 12 months, tying for second in Scottsdale and inserting twelfth on the Genesis.
“It took me legitimately a 12 months to really feel like I used to be the identical golfer that I used to be pre-injury,” Berger stated. “I really really feel like I am a extra educated golfer, as in like I perceive what I must do. I do know my physique higher. I feel that is going to make me a greater participant sooner or later.”
PGA Nationwide was as soon as referred to as one of many harder tracks on tour, however the development in recent times has been profitable scores within the double digits underneath par, the place it as soon as had been within the single digits. When Austin Eckroat gained final 12 months with a 17-under 263, it was the bottom rating since 2003.
“They overseeded the golf course so it isn’t Bermuda anymore. The greens are incredible; they’re the most effective I’ve ever seen them,” Berger stated. “Chipping is noticeably simpler now. … You are not going to see guys duff balls like they might when it was pure Bermuda. It is loads simpler.”
The course nonetheless has its challenges, specifically the “Bear Lure,” the fifteenth via seventeenth holes with loads of water in play.
–Discipline Stage Media
