Golf DFS Picks: 4 Potential Longshots & PGA TOUR Sleepers For 2024 Cognizant Classic
Written By John Haslbauer | Last Updated at February 27, 2024
The PGA TOUR heads east to the Sunshine State as we get set to begin the Florida Swing at the 2024 Cognizant Classic at PGA National. In last week’s golf DFS picks article, we successfully identified Carson Young as a longshot top-20 candidate, and we’ll look to keep that momentum going in search of more diamonds in the rough for your golf betting.
Under a new name, this event, formerly known as the Honda Classic, has previously attracted one of the weakest fields on the PGA TOUR schedule, with top players prioritizing the Arnold Palmer Invitational and THE PLAYERS instead. This year, more star power from the likes of Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick, and Cameron Young should usher in more palatable odds for longshots to consider. Identifying the right sleepers is crucial for fantasy in weeks like these. So take advantage of the latest Underdog promo codes, including a $100 deposit match for those interested in playing these golf DFS picks!
Let’s get to our 2024 Cognizant Classic longshots and sleepers for your DFS lineups and betting cards. Click on the odds anywhere below to bet now on the best available prices in your state.
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PGA NATIONAL COURSE INTRODUCTION
Standing at 7,125 yards, PGA National has far more bite to it than the scorecard yardage would suggest. With many forced layups from doglegs, water hazards, and bunkers throughout the course, reliable ball-striking is a necessity at the Honda Classic. With this being the first leg of the Florida Swing, I'm looking for players with proven performance on similar Bermuda greens as a key combo stat with SG: Ball Striking when looking for longshots in this field.
For a deeper dive into the course, read my Cognizant Classic preview. Without any further delay, let’s get to our Cognizant Classic picks, with a focus on longshots and sleepers for your DFS lineups.
FINDING VALUE IN GOLF DFS PICKS: MEXICO OPEN
To identify “value” any given week on the PGA TOUR, I find it’s best first to understand the consensus key stat profile, then take a stance on the elements of the tournament that may go overlooked. At the Cognizant Classic,, Course History, Recent Form, and scoring in difficult conditions are consensus key areas factored into each player’s price.
From a sleeper perspective, I will take a stance on the importance of Proximity from 125-200 yards and SG: Short Game on Bermuda as opportunities to buy low on players who may have sputtered on the west coast swing. I’m leaning on that stance to differentiate my player pool and find value for this week’s tournament.
Below, find my favorite golf DFS picks and longshots for the 2024 Cognizant Classic. Stats were pulled across the last 36 rounds unless otherwise noted. Each player is listed with the best price in Cognizant Classic odds.
TheLines is partnering with Underdog Fantasy this season. Create a new account on the Underdog Fantasy app and sign up with promo code THELINES to get up to a $100 deposit match on your first deposit. Underdog snake drafts include PGA TOUR contests that strip away the complexity of traditional DFS lineup-making. John’s golf picks may provide valuable sleepers for your Underdog golf drafts.
Akshay Bhatia (, $6,900)
A bona fide Coastal Elite, just add wind and water when it comes to finding a course that suits Bhatia’s game. Over his last five starts, Akshay has missed the cut in two stints on desert courses but surrounded those with top-15 finishes on windy, coastal setups between The Sentry, Sony Open, and Farmers Insurance Open. Furthering that trend, the 22-year-old prodigy picked up his first professional victory on the Korn Ferry Tour in similar coastal and windy conditions at the Bahamas Great Exuma Classic.
A crafty ball striker, Akshay should thrive at PGA National, which demands great versatility in shot-making to navigate the unpredictable winds across the property. Native to North Carolina, Akshay should feel comfortable returning to a Bermuda-based layout and will look to improve on the T49 finish in his debut here last year as he returns in far better form.
Davis Thompson (, $6,800)
One week ago, Davis Thompson was one of the most popular bets on the odds board despite opening at the shortest odds of his young career. Finishing T24 at the Mexico Open while gaining strokes on the field in terms of both Approach and Off-The-Tee, I don’t see any reason to jump off of Thompson now after seeing such a steep discount in his DFS price and odds.
The former Georgia Bulldog should welcome the TOUR’s return to Bermuda greens in this stretch of the season, as Bermuda has proven to be Thompson’s putting surface of choice. Ranking top-20 in SG: APP, Prox: 125-200, SG: TOT (L16 Rounds), and Par-4 Scoring, his ceiling is far higher than his price suggests.
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Lee Hodges (, $6,500)
The 2023 3M Open champion has a very particular set of skills that have virtually only translated to success on courses where water hazards are most prevalent. So, on the merit of comp course history alone, Hodges makes for a very appealing contrarian play.
In addition to his victory at TPC Twin Cities, Hodges has also piled up top-10s at The AmEx and Honda Classic over the last two years, which feature the same common thread of constant water hazards in play. From a course history standpoint, Hodges has been nearly flawless at PGA National, gaining across all four strokes gained categories in each of his top-15 finishes here.
Though his recent form has cooled off a bit in 2024, a T24 in his latest start at the Genesis Invitational is still a good sign for the state of his game leading into the Florida Swing.
Sam Ryder (, $5,900)
Like Hodges, Sam Ryder’s decorated resume at this event is more than enough for me to overlook a recent mediocre stretch of golf on the West Coast. Ryder finished top-10 at the Honda Classic in each of his last two appearances, gaining across all four strokes gained categories to demonstrate his all-around fit for this style, of course. Prior to his last two top-10s here, Ryder was in a similar rut to start the year, so I’m more willing to overlook a couple of recent missed cuts.
The putter has been one of Ryder’s greatest assets over the last few years, so it’s a bit strange to see how cold his flat stick has gone to start 2024. A return to Bermuda may be the perfect remedy, however, as Ryder finished T13 at the RSM Classic in his last start in this part of the country.
Top-10 in both SG: APP and Prox: 125-200. This project is a great buy-low spot for Ryder as he comes to a course that plays well to all of his strengths.
Best of luck if you bet or play this golf DFS picks for the 2024 Cognizant Classic!
2024 COGNIZANT CLASSIC ODDS
Shop the odds at the best sports betting sites for PGA TOUR golf sleepers and more highly-touted players here, including for the top 10, top 20, etc.
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