How Jordan Spieth performed at The Bear Trap compared to winner Joe Highsmith at the Cognizant Classic

Add as preferred source on Google

Joe Highsmith won the Cognizant Classic as big names like Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler never quite managed to trouble the summit of the leaderboard.

Highsmith got his first ever win on the PGA Tour thanks to some excellent golf around the PGA National course in Florida.

Highsmith set a new record for lowest weekend score in doing so and he can now look forward to playing some big events in 2025, including The Masters.

Spieth, meanwhile, fell away but did finish ninth in another improved showing compared to his 2024 form.

• READ MORE: Jack Nicklaus gives his verdict on the PGA National golf course after criticism during the Cognizant Classic

Of course, for Highsmith to win, he needed to play well and ensure that he navigated the tricky Bear Trap section of the PGA National course.

The three-hole stretch is known for being one of the toughest runs on the PGA Tour and crucially for Highsmith, he navigated things better than Spieth and a number of others.

Jordan Spieth and Joe Highsmith’s scores at The Bear Trap

Most golfers in the world would take par around the Bear Trap and move on with the rest of their round.

For Jordan Spieth, it was very much a case of a rollercoaster ride which ended in him being bang level for the week.

As for the winner Joe Highsmith, he managed to go better than Spieth and actually finished under par for the Bear Trap for the week.

• READ MORE: Brad Faxon does not understand decision some PGA Tour players have made following the Cognizant Classic as he admits his disappointment

The holes that make up the Bear Trap at PGA National

Known for being one of the most famous and toughest stretches of three holes on the PGA Tour, The Bear Trap at PGA National is the ultimate test for every golfer.

Water and rough are everywhere between holes 15 and 17 and if players come out level, it’s usually a good result.

The 15th hole is a par three over water at 179 yards. Anything right is wet, while anything left can leave a tricky up and down.

Moving onto 16, it’s a tricky par four which once again requires a shot over water while the putting surface sits on two tiers, making it a tricky effort even if players do get on in two.

Finally, the 17th sees another par three straight over the water which leaves players fearing the water right and long, while fail to put enough on it and the brutal Florida conditions and winds can also scupper things.