The 2026 Cognizant Classic once again brings a significant payday for players on the PGA Tour, with a total purse of $9.6 million up for grabs at PGA Nationalâs Champion Course in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. While the event is not one of the Tourâs elevated signature tournaments, the payout still ranks among the larger purses for regular full-field events during the season.
The winner of the tournament is set to take home $1.728 million, along with 500 FedEx Cup points and a two-year PGA Tour exemption, making the event financially and competitively important for players trying to secure status for the remainder of the season.
How the Prize Money Is Distributed
Whatâs Next on the PGA Tour Schedule
Following the Cognizant Classic, the PGA Tour heads to one of the biggest non-major events of the season, the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard. The tournament will be held March 2-8 at Bay Hill Club & Lodge. It is one of the Tourâs Signature Events, meaning a significantly larger purse ($20 million) and a limited field featuring many of the top players in the world. This year includes Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, and Collin Morikawa to name a few. Last year’s winner was Russell Henley.
At the same time (March 2-8), another group of players will compete at the Puerto Rico Open. While the purse is smaller ($4 million), the tournament offers a full set of FedEx Cup points and a two-year Tour exemption to the winner, making it a crucial opportunity for younger players, sponsor exemptions, and those fighting to keep their Tour status.
This yearâs event will also feature a refreshed course experience designed to bring fans closer to the action, highlighted by the new El 19Â fan zone â a lively hub with food, bars, and live music located near the driving range and putting green.
Events like the Puerto Rico Open often produce breakthrough winners, and for many in the field, it represents one of the best chances of the season to secure a career-changing victory. Karl Vilips took the win as a rookie last year.
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