Jordan Spieth in the Hunt, ‘Readjusts’ Cognizant Classic Expectations

Jordan Spieth delivered an impressive 6-under 65 in the opening round of the Cognizant Classic at PGA National, placing him tied for 11th. He recorded seven birdies and one bogey, starting strong on the back nine and finishing with momentum on his final hole.

Despite his solid performance, Spieth remains six shots behind Jake Knapp, who made history with a remarkable 59. Recognizing the unusually low scores across the field, Spieth acknowledged the need to adjust his strategy, now expecting a winning score closer to 20-under rather than his initial estimate of 14 or 15-under.

PGA National is typically a challenging course, but Spieth noted that overseeded fairways have made conditions softer and more forgiving. With the wind expected to increase and pin placements becoming tougher, he and other competitors must adapt quickly in what is shaping up to be an unexpected birdie-friendly tournament.