Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches means one thing: The Masters is almost here

The Florida Swing begins this week at the Cognizant Classic, which means spring is quickly approaching.

This week’s Cognizant Classic at PGA National signals one thing, and one thing only: The Masters is right around the corner.

We are exactly six weeks from the first tee shots being struck at Augusta National, a holiday celebrated across the golf world. Between now and then, the PGA Tour will hold four events in Florida, including The Players, and two more in Texas before roughly 89 players make their way to Augusta, Georgia, for a chance at winning the Green Jacket.

It’s an exciting time filled with hope and anticipation — a period in which discussions surrounding the 2025 Masters ramp up. Who is playing well? Who is slumping? Who could be a dark horse at Augusta this year? These are all pertinent questions that the month of March helps answer.

Last year, Scottie Scheffler won at Bay Hill and then stormed from behind to win The Players the following week. Every sign from the Florida Swing pointed to him winning his second green jacket, which he did. We also saw Ludvig Åberg play well in Florida, foreshadowing his runner-up finish in his Masters debut.

This week’s Cognizant Classic does not feature the likes of Scheffler and Åberg, though. It’s a weaker field, as many top players have elected to skip PGA National in favor of next week’s Signature Event at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The Players follows immediately thereafter, leaving the Cognizant Classic as the odd man out as many do not like competing three weeks in a row.

But considering this week’s tournament favors ball-strikers and accuracy off the tee — two critical traits for Augusta — keep an eye on who plays well. Maybe Shane Lowry will contend. Or could it be Sepp Straka, Daniel Berger, or Ben Griffin?

Whoever does contend will be part of the initial conversations surrounding the 2025 Masters, which is an exhilarating development.

The Azaleas and the Magnolias are almost here.

Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Follow him on X @jack_milko.