As the sun sets on the second round of the 2026 Cognizant Classic, the cut line drama has kept golf fans on the edge of their seats. The tournament, unfolding in the familiar greens of Palm Beach County, has seen some big names fighting to stay in contention.
Brooks Koepka, a local favorite and five-time major champion, needed a strong performance in Round 2 to avoid missing the cut for the second time in his last three tournaments. After a shaky start with a 3-over par in Round 1, Koepka came out swinging.
His putter caught fire, and birdies on three of the first four holes set the tone for a 5-under front nine. By the end of the day, Koepka comfortably sat at 2 under, securing his spot for the weekend.
Ryan Gerard, the top-ranked player in the field, also found his groove in the second round. Alongside him, former tournament winners Austin Eckroat and Matt Kuchar, as well as promising talents like Blades Brown and Michael Thorbjornsen, were all battling to make the cut.
The final cut line settled at even par, after briefly flirting with 1 over. Out of the 123 golfers who teed off, 67 players made the cut, including those tied at even par. This year’s cut line proved more forgiving than last year’s 5 under par, allowing a wider field to compete over the weekend.
Here's a snapshot of notable players around the cut line:
- Brooks Koepka: -2
- Ryan Gerard: -2
- Mackenzie Hughes: -2
- Austin Eckroat: -1
- Matt Wallace: -1
- Haotong Li: E
- Tom Kim: E
- Michael Thorbjornsen: +1
- Matt Kuchar: +2
As for the broadcast, fans can catch the action on Golf Channel starting at 2 p.m. for Round 2. The excitement continues with Rounds 3 and 4, airing on Golf Channel at 1 p.m. before transitioning to NBC at 3 p.m. from February 28 to March 1. For those wanting an even closer look, PGA Tour Live offers streaming of featured groups and holes on the ESPN app with a subscription.
With the weekend approaching, the stage is set for thrilling golf at the Cognizant Classic. Whether it's the veterans making a charge or the young guns aiming for glory, the competition promises to deliver high-stakes drama.