2026 Cognizant Classic odds, picks: Surprising predictions by golf model that's called 16 majors
CBS Sports
by
Daniel Lewis
February 24, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The 2026 Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches is set to kick off, and SportsLine’s advanced model has delivered some surprising predictions for golf enthusiasts. Simulating the tournament 10,000 times, the model identified Ryan Gerard as the favorite with odds of +1400, followed by Shane Lowry at +1600. However, one major shock is that Lowry, a past Open Champion, doesn’t even crack the top three in the projected leaderboard. This prediction highlights the model’s ability to identify underperforming players, offering valuable insights for bettors and DFS enthusiasts.
The tournament field includes notable names like Brooks Koepka, who is competing in his third event since rejoining the PGA Tour. Despite his recent struggles, including a missed cut at the WM Phoenix Open, Koepka remains a contender with odds of +3000. Meanwhile, Daniel Berger, another longshot at +3000, is surprisingly projected to finish in the top six, despite not appearing in the top 10 on the initial odds board. Berger’s strong history at this event, including three top-five finishes, suggests he could be a dark horse worth considering.
SportsLine’s model has a proven track record of accuracy, having correctly predicted 16 major championships, including the 2025 Masters and this year’s PGA Championship. This reliability makes it a trusted source for golf betting predictions. The model also targets several other longshots with odds of +3000 or higher as potential top-10 contenders, offering readers an edge in their DFS lineups.
For those new to sports betting, SportsLine provides valuable resources like promo codes for DraftKings and FanDuel, which offer bonus bets for first-time users. These promotions add extra value for readers looking to explore the world of
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Originally published on CBS Sports on 2/24/2026