History of Cognizant Classic in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 28, 2026

The Cognizant Classic is a PGA Tour professional golf tournament held annually in South Florida. Established in 1972, originally named "Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classic", this event was traditionally the first of the Florida tournaments following the West Coast Swing until a schedule alteration in 2021.

1969: National Airlines Open Invitational

In 1969, the tournament's predecessor, the National Airlines Open Invitational, ran for three seasons.

1971: National Airlines Open Invitational

In 1971, the tournament's predecessor, the National Airlines Open Invitational, ran for three seasons.

1972: Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classic Replaces National Airlines Open Invitational

In 1972, the Gleason tournament replaced the National Airlines Open Invitational on the schedule a month earlier at the Inverrary Country Club (East course) in Lauderhill and was among the richest events on tour with an inaugural purse of $260,000 and a $52,000 winner's share.

1972: Winner's Share

In 1972, the original winner's share of $52,000 made it one of the richest stops on tour.

1972: Inaugural Tournament

In 1972, the tournament was founded as "Jackie Gleason's Inverrary Classic". It was held at the Inverrary Country Club and was among the richest events on tour with an inaugural purse of $260,000 and a $52,000 winner's share.

1973: National Airlines Sponsorship

In 1973, National Airlines sponsored the event with Jackie Gleason.

1976: Jack Nicklaus Wins TPC

In 1976, Jack Nicklaus won the Tournament Players Championship (TPC).

1976: Tournament Players Championship Won by Jack Nicklaus

In 1976, the tournament was billed as the Tournament Players Championship held in late February and was won by Jack Nicklaus.

1978: Jack Nicklaus

Jack Nicklaus won the tournament in 1978, as he was the only consecutive winner in its history.

1980: End of Gleason's Affiliation

In 1980, Gleason's nine-year affiliation with the Tournament Players Championship ended after PGA Tour officials removed him from promotions and focused on commercialization to provide more revenue.

1981: American Motors Sponsorship

In 1981, American Motors Corporation backed the event as the "American Motors Inverrary Classic".

1981: Renamed "American Motors Inverrary Classic"

In 1981, the event was renamed "American Motors Inverrary Classic" as American Motors Corporation sponsored it.

1981: Purse Size

In 1981, the total purse was $300,000.

1982: American Honda Motor Company Sponsorship

From 1982, American Honda Motor Company was the title sponsor, and the tournament was known as The Honda Classic.

1984: Moved to TPC Eagle Trace

In 1984, the tournament moved to TPC Eagle Trace in Coral Springs.

1991: TPC Eagle Trace

Until 1991, the tournament remained at TPC Eagle Trace in Coral Springs.

1992: Event Held at Weston Hills Golf & Country Club

From 1992, the event was held at the Weston Hills Golf & Country Club in Weston.

1995: Event Held at Weston Hills Golf & Country Club

Through 1995, the event was held at the Weston Hills Golf & Country Club in Weston.

1996: Return to Coral Springs

In 1996, the event returned to Coral Springs, first at the TPC at Eagle Trace.

1997: TPC at Heron Bay

From 1997, the tournament was held at the TPC at Heron Bay.

2002: TPC at Heron Bay

Until 2002, the tournament was held at the TPC at Heron Bay.

2003: Moved to Palm Beach Gardens

In 2003, the event moved to Palm Beach Gardens, first at the Country Club at Mirasol.

2006: Country Club at Mirasol

Through 2006, the event was held at the Country Club at Mirasol.

2007: Moved to PGA National Resort and Spa

In 2007, the event moved to the Champion Course at PGA National Resort and Spa.

2007: Improved Player Field

Since 2007, the tournament has seen an improved player field, largely due to the decision to make PGA National the tournament's permanent home.

2007: Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation

Since 2007, the tournament's primary beneficiary is the Nicklaus Children's Health Care Foundation, chaired by Barbara Nicklaus, wife of hall of fame golfer Jack Nicklaus.

2013: IMG Buys Management Company

In 2013, IMG bought the tournament's management company.

2017: Purse Size

In 2017, the total purse was $6.4 million, with a top prize of $1.152 million.

2021: Schedule Change

Prior to the schedule change in 2021, the Cognizant Classic was frequently the first of the Florida events in late winter, following the "West Coast Swing."

2023: Honda Ends Sponsorship, Cognizant Sponsorship Begins

By late 2023, Honda ended sponsorship. Control of the event was moved to PGA Tour's Championship Management Division, a six-year sponsorship was signed with Cognizant, and the event was renamed.