Peter Finch says whether PGA National was too easy during the Cognizant Classic after previously playing the course

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During the first round of the 2025 Cognizant Classic Jake Knapp became the 15th player to shoot a sub-60 round on the PGA Tour.

Knapp’s 59 at PGA National left many commentators and players stunned. The course is usually regarded as one of the toughest on the PGA Tour.

With water present on most holes, thick rough and lightning-fast greens, the Florida venue has proven a stern test over the years. However, after birdies were in plentiful supply on day one, criticism emerged.

Billy Horschel hit out at the course set-up, and golf fans were scathing of the easy scoring conditions. One of the issues the PGA Tour has faced in 2025 centres around how simple some of their chosen venues have been.

YouTube star Peter Finch holds a slightly different view and has defended PGA National’s set-up, however.

Peter Finch drops verdict on PGA National

During the latest edition of the Rough Cut Podcast, Finch suggested that the low scoring displayed just how good those players on the PGA Tour actually are. The YouTuber previously shot 72 (level par) at PGA National.

“If you’re one of those guys, would you want to go and play [if the course is super hard]. With the Signature Events, they’re taking a consistent amount of the top players and the Cognizant is not one of those events. It’s kind of the players who wouldn’t get into a Signature Event are coming to the fore a little bit more. Now if you’ve got those guys on that course, I am pretty sure Jake Knapp was delighted to be shooting a 59, rather than grinding out a four under.

“No [PGA Tour courses aren’t too easy], I would say it shows how good the pros are. Shooting a 59 is unbelievable. It puts you in the category of the rarest type of golfers. Hardly anyone does this. It’s such a small amount. I think it just shows how good these guys actually are. Even with the rough chopped down, it’s not an easy golf course; it really, really isn’t. It’s tough; there’s a lot of water.”

• READ MORE: Peter Finch confirms whether he was invited to the Creator Classic by the PGA Tour after he was left out of the field

Joe Highsmith sets PGA National record at Cognizant Classic

Highsmith’s 19-under victory is the lowest winning score since the event moved to PGA National. What’s more, the American became the first golfer in nine years to win a Tour event having made the cut on the number.

Thankfully, PGA National did provide a sterner test during the weekend rounds. Sitting at 12 under after the first 18, Knapp only finished at 15 under. What’s more, several players struggled to get anything going during the final round.

Firmer greens and windy conditions saw PGA National show why it’s regarded as one of the most challenging golfing tests in Florida. The highest-ever winning score at the Cognizant Classic (formerly the Honda Classic) came during the first iteration of the event at PGA National as Mark Wilson triumphed after finishing five under.