Joe Highsmith’s Remarkable Comeback to Win His First PGA TOUR Title
Joe Highsmith’s victory at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches was nothing short of extraordinary. From nearly missing the cut to delivering back-to-back rounds of 64, Highsmith’s triumph marked one of the most stunning comebacks in recent PGA TOUR history.
A Crucial Putt to Stay in the Game
On Friday, Highsmith faced a nerve-wracking five-foot putt on the 18th hole. A miss would have sent him home early, marking his fourth missed cut in six starts. It was a putt he typically struggles with—a tricky right-to-left breaker on a challenging green. But this time, he nailed it, securing his place for the weekend.
What followed was nothing short of remarkable. Highsmith put together an incredible 64-64 finish over the weekend to claim his first PGA TOUR-sanctioned victory at PGA National. He won by two strokes over Jacob Bridgeman and J.J. Spaun, making history as the first player since 2016 to win a PGA TOUR event after making the cut on the number.
A Shift in Mentality
Despite his Friday save, Highsmith wasn’t brimming with confidence as he approached his third round. His pre-round range session was rough, and he feared his game might unravel on PGA National’s demanding layout. However, he had been working with his college coach, Michael Beard, to strengthen his mental approach. Beard emphasized the importance of clarity and commitment to each shot, even when the swing wasn’t perfect.
That mindset proved invaluable. Highsmith steadied himself and birdied the third hole, setting the tone for an incredible round. He added five more birdies and an eagle, finishing with a stunning 7-under 64. His putting was exceptional, sinking 135 feet of putts and gaining nearly three-and-a-half strokes on the greens.
Delivering Under Pressure
While putting performances like Highsmith’s Saturday round are often hard to sustain, he defied expectations on Sunday. Once again, he gained three strokes with the putter, sinking every putt inside 15 feet. His final-round 64 solidified his victory, making him the tournament’s top performer in strokes gained putting with an incredible 12-shot advantage.
As the final round progressed, the leaderboard remained tight, with multiple players sharing the lead at various points. However, Highsmith pulled away with clutch birdies on holes 10, 11, and 13. His defining moment came on the 17th hole, where he drained a crucial 21-foot birdie putt to extend his lead. By the time he reached the 18th tee, the tournament was all but decided.
A Career-Changing Win
Highsmith’s victory was not just his first PGA TOUR title; it was the largest final-round comeback of the 2025 season, overcoming a four-shot deficit. With this win, he earned a spot in the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Masters, and the PGA Championship. His PGA TOUR card is now secured through 2027, giving him the opportunity to compete against the world's best players.
His incredible comeback serves as a testament to the unpredictable nature of golf. In the PGA TOUR, anything can happen on the weekend—you just have to make the cut first.
