Nicolai Hojgaard, Daniel Berger, Thorbjorn Olesen Highlighted for 2026 Cognizant Classic

Golf model projects Danish star Hojgaard to contend, Berger for top-10 finish, and Olesen to win his group

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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The 2026 Cognizant Classic golf tournament features a wide-open field without many top-ranked players, providing opportunities for lesser-known golfers to make a mark. The SportsLine model is high on 24-year-old Dane Nicolai Hojgaard to finish in the top 5, projecting good value at +500 odds. The model also likes Daniel Berger, a four-time PGA Tour winner, to finish in the top 10 at +360 odds, and Thorbjorn Olesen to win his group at DraftKings Sportsbook at +345 odds.

Why it matters

With a less star-studded field, the 2026 Cognizant Classic presents a chance for emerging players like Hojgaard and veteran talents like Berger and Olesen to make a statement. The model's projections highlight potential value bets and underdog stories to watch for in this wide-open tournament.

The details

Nicolai Hojgaard, a 24-year-old Danish golfer, is projected by the model to contend for a top-5 finish at the 2026 Cognizant Classic after finishing T3 at his last PGA Tour event, the Phoenix Open. Daniel Berger, a four-time PGA Tour winner, is expected to push for a top-10 result based on his past success at this event, where he has three top-5 finishes. Meanwhile, the model sees value in Thorbjorn Olesen winning his group at DraftKings Sportsbook, given his recent strong form and the relatively weaker competition in his group.

  • Hojgaard finished T3 at the Phoenix Open on February 5, 2026.
  • The 2026 Cognizant Classic will be held in 2026.

The players

Nicolai Hojgaard

A 24-year-old Danish golfer who finished one shot shy of a playoff at the Phoenix Open in his last PGA Tour event.

Daniel Berger

A four-time PGA Tour winner who has three top-5 finishes at the Cognizant Classic and is expected to contend for a top-10 result.

Thorbjorn Olesen

A 36-year-old Danish golfer who has missed the cut in his first three Cognizant Classics but is coming off a strong fall season with three top-5 finishes.

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The takeaway

With a wide-open field and several intriguing underdog stories, the 2026 Cognizant Classic presents an opportunity for lesser-known players to make a name for themselves. The SportsLine model's projections highlight potential value bets on Nicolai Hojgaard, Daniel Berger, and Thorbjorn Olesen, showcasing the model's ability to identify promising longshots in golf tournaments.