PGA Tour Kicks Off Florida Swing, Masters Spot Up for Grabs at South African Open

The Cognizant Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, marks the start of the PGA Tour's Florida swing, while the Investec South African Open offers a Masters invitation to the winner.

Apr. 19, 2026 at 11:04pm

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A fragmented, multi-angled painting in bold, overlapping geometric shapes and a vibrant color palette of greens, blues, and golds, conceptually representing the dynamic action and competition of a golf tournament.The overlapping geometric shapes and vibrant colors of this cubist-inspired illustration capture the energy and excitement of the PGA Tour's Florida swing and the high-stakes competition of the South African Open.Palm Beach Gardens Today

The PGA Tour kicks off its Florida swing this week with the Cognizant Classic in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The $9.6 million event at PGA National's Champions course features a field of 123 players, with only 13 currently qualified for the Masters. Meanwhile, the Investec South African Open in Stellenbosch, South Africa, will award the winner a coveted spot in the Masters, drawing a field that includes Patrick Reed, who is playing a full European Tour schedule this year.

Why it matters

The Florida swing is seen as the unofficial start of the road to the Masters, with players looking to secure their spots in the year's first major. The South African Open's Masters invitation adds extra significance, as players vie for a last chance to qualify for Augusta National. The Cognizant Classic also follows two straight signature PGA Tour events, making it an important stop on the schedule.

The details

The Cognizant Classic features a $9.6 million purse, with the winner taking home $1.728 million. Defending champion Joe Highsmith has struggled since his victory, with only one top-10 finish since last year's win. The field includes just one player from the top 30 in the FedEx Cup standings, Ryan Gerard at No. 26. Meanwhile, the Investec South African Open offers a $1.5 million purse, with the winner earning $250,000 and a coveted spot in the Masters. The field is highlighted by Patrick Reed, who is playing a full European Tour schedule this year after leaving LIV Golf.

  • The Cognizant Classic takes place April 20-23 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
  • The Investec South African Open runs April 20-23 in Stellenbosch, South Africa.

The players

Joe Highsmith

The defending champion of the Cognizant Classic, who has struggled since his victory last year with only one top-10 finish.

Patrick Reed

The former Masters champion who is playing a full European Tour schedule this year after leaving LIV Golf, and is the headliner of the Investec South African Open field.

Ernie Els

The four-time major champion and World Golf Hall of Famer, who is a five-time winner of the South African Open, with his last victory coming in 2010.

Jayden Schaper

The South African player who is looking to move into the top 50 in the world by the end of March to earn a spot in the Masters.

Ryan Gerard

The only player from the top 30 in the FedEx Cup standings who is competing in the Cognizant Classic.

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What’s next

The winner of the Investec South African Open will earn a spot in the 2023 Masters tournament at Augusta National.

The takeaway

The start of the PGA Tour's Florida swing and the South African Open's Masters invitation highlight the importance of these events in the lead-up to the year's first major championship. Players will be looking to secure their spots at Augusta National through strong performances in these tournaments.