"The Starter" recaps the week gone by in golf. PGA Professional Brendon Elliott, a three-decade industry veteran, provides his insights for RG. This week, Elliott looks at first-time winner Joe Highsmith claiming victory at the Cognizant Classic. He also looks at Lydia Ko’s convincing win at the HSBC Women's World Championship.
Highsmith Claims Maiden PGA Tour Victory at 2025 Cognizant Classic
From being the Last Man In to Tournament Champion
Joe Highsmith completed an improbable journey Sunday at the 2025 Cognizant Classic, transforming from a player who barely made the cut to a tournament champion. The 24-year-old former Pepperdine standout fired back-to-back 64s Saturday and Sunday at PGA National's Champion Course to finish at 19-under par, edging out Jacob Bridgeman and J.J. Spaun by a single stroke.
“Winning was the last thing on my mind,” Highsmith said. “It's incredible to come out on top. I played probably the best round of my life.”
Weekend Charge
Highsmith's victory was forged by his 14-under-par weekend. His back-to-back 7-under par 64s on Saturday and Sunday brought him back from making the cut on the number to raising the tournament trophy. Over the weekend, he was 21/24 (87.5%) in fairways, 30/36 (83.3%) in greens, 5/6 on his up and downs, and first on Saturday and fourth on Sunday in Strokes Gained Putting.
"It turned out to be my time as a result of, you know, doing a really, really good job with my process and getting into the shots," said Highsmith after his win.
This incredible weekend charge may not have been seen coming after his one-over par 72 on Friday, which came a day after a very respectable 6-under par opening 65. In that Friday round, Joe was 111th in Strokes Gained Approach, 118th in Strokes Gained Around the Green, and 103rd in Strokes Gained Putting.
One of the perks that came with Highsmith's win was punching his ticket to the Masters and playing the hallowed grounds of Augusta National in a few weeks.
“I went last year to the tournament just as a spectator because any chance that I can get to walk out there, I’m going to take advantage of that. But to be playing in that tournament is going to be very special and, obviously, something you work towards your whole life."
Knapp's Near Miss
Jake Knapp, on the strength of his remarkable Thursday 12-under par 59, stood at 16-under par coming into Sunday, seeking his second PGA TOUR victory. After going out in one-under-par 34, he added a birdie on the 10th to get to 18-under par, but then on 11, disaster struck.
Trying to become the first wire-to-wire winner at PGA National, Knapp saw his hopes crumble dramatically at the par-4 11th hole. Holding a one-shot lead, his approach came up short and found the water, with only half of the golf ball visible above the surface.
What followed was a sequence of unfortunate attempts to salvage the hole. His first try to blast out of the hazard merely trickled down the slope and back into the water. His second attempt finally held up in the rough.
"Didn't hit any of them really hard enough, unfortunately," Knapp explained afterward.
The resulting triple bogey derailed his momentum completely. Knapp failed to make another birdie for the remainder of his round, posting a final-round 72 that dropped him into a tie for sixth alongside Michael Kim (71), his playing partner in the final group.
Spieth's Resurgence Continues
Jordan Spieth continued his post-2024 surgery renaissance with a ninth-place finish at 14-under par. The three-time major champion had four birdies in a five-hole stretch from the 8th through 12th to get into the mix but would finish his final six holes at 1-over for a closing 68 and five shots shy of Highsmith. This was Spieth's second top-10 in his last four starts.
The goal for Spieth at the Cognizant was to use his recent momentum to find his way into this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational. Despite his good showing, he just missed out on reaching that goal.
Florida Swing Momentum
Highsmith's victory earns him 500 FedExCup points and secures his PGA Tour card through 2027. More importantly, it provides entry into the Players Championship and all remaining signature events this season.
The PGA Tour continues its Florida swing next week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill Club & Lodge, where Scottie Scheffler returns as the defending champion.
LPGA Round-Up: Olympic Champ Ko Captures 2025 HSBC Women's World Championship
Olympic gold medalist Lydia Ko won this year's HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore on Sunday, finishing at 13-under par and a decisive four-stroke victory over Ayaka Furue and Jeeno Thitikul.
The triumph marks Ko's second top 10 and first win of the 2025 season. In notching her 23rd victory of her illustrious LPGA Tour career, she further cemented her status as one of the game's modern legends at just 27 years old.
Sunday Showdown in Singapore
Beginning the final round on Sunday, one shot ahead of the fiery British star Charley Hull, Ko delivered a masterclass in steady play going around the Sentosa Golf Club's demanding Tanjong Course, carding five birdies against two bogies for a closing 3-under par 69.
"It's exciting to finally add Asia's major to my major collection," Ko said after her win.
Hull had a frustrating day, shooting a final round 2-over par 74 and sliding six back of Ko's eventual 13-under par 275 total.
Moving Up the Rankings
With her victory, Ko, the third-ranked player in the World, is projected to move to third in the Race to CME Globe standings. Ko is a three-time CME Globe winner, capturing 2014, 2015, and 2022 titles.
Brendon Elliott, a distinguished PGA Professional, is best known for his dedication to the growth and development of junior golf. With nearly three decades of experience, Elliott has been recognized multiple times as one of the best instructors, both regionally and nationally.
Elliott's crowning achievement was being named the 2017 PGA of America National Youth Player Development Award Winner, a testament to his exceptional skills and dedication. He is the founder of Little Linksters, an award-winning youth golf academy and nonprofit that works with kids of all abilities to help them develop a passion for golf. His innovative teaching methods and love for the game have made significant impacts on students and the broader golfing community.
Additionally, Brendon, a Golf Writers Association of America member, has become a renowned freelance golf writer, further solidifying his position as a top professional in the industry.
