One-and-Done Golf Picks for Cognizant Classic

As the PGA Tour returns to action, so do the one-and-done pools for golf contest players. 

For those unfamiliar, OAD pools closely mirror an NFL survivor contest. Players select a golfer each week and earn their prize money at the conclusion of the event. 

The catch? Contestants can only use a player once. Additionally, not all prize pools are created equally, which further adds to the game theory. 

Below, I’ve outlined three players worth a look for OAD pools this week at the Cognizant Classic. 

Golf odds are reflective at the time of writing and are subject to movement. 

3 Best Golf One-and-Done Picks for Cognizant Classic

Option #1: Shane Lowry (+1600) 

It’s unlikely you’ll see Lowry as the pre-tournament favorite for the rest of the season. Unless you think he’s capable of winning a major or signature event, there’s no point saving him. 

Lowry, in two starts this year on the PGA Tour, has recorded a pair of top-25 finishes. He spiked to T-8th at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am, where he gained over a stroke per round ball striking. 

Now, bettors are getting Lowry at a preferred venue for the Irishman. In two Cognizant Classic starts – the event underwent some changes pre-2024 – he finished no worse than T-11th. 

That comes on the heels of two top-five finishes at the Honda Classic in 2023 and 2022. 

If there’s potential for concern, it’s that Lowry could see a high ownership this week. The iron record offers a relatively high floor, but players would likely join the masses picking Lowry. 

Option #2: Ryan Gerard (+2000)

I like Gerard’s profile a lot this week, making him my first Cognizant Classic pick. 

Gerard gained at least four strokes on approach in three of five starts this year. That record includes +6.2 at the Sony Open, a correlative event to the Cognizant Classic. 

Last week, only three players outgained Gerard with their irons at Riviera. Consider the strength of that field, and Gerard’s performance becomes even more impressive. 

Gerard finished as the runner-up to Chris Gotterup at Waialae and owns a decent record at PGA National. Last year, he finished T-25th at the Cognizant. 

The North Carolina native could also see high ownership this week. Like Lowry, it’s unlikely bettors find Gerard priced in this range for the rest of the year. 

However, I’m willing to overlook that potential ownership given Gerard’s ball-striking reliability. 

Option #3: Nicolai Hojgaard (+2200)

Hojgaard finished T-18th last year at PGA National after missing the cut at a Honda Classic appearance. 

The sample size is relatively small, but Hojgaard recorded a pair of top-25 finishes to begin 2026. He also finished T-4th the week before the Farmers on the DP World Tour. 

Those PGA Tour appearances include a T-3rd at TPC Scottsdale. At the WM Phoenix Open, Hojgaard placed fifth in the field in SG: Ball Striking. 

Only one player in this field (Daniel Berger) outgained Hojgaard for the week. If not for a triple bogey in the final round, Hojgaard could have won in Phoenix. 

The lone potential issue with Hojgaard? He lacks consistent putting records on Bermuda grass. In nine starts on courses featuring Bermuda greens, he gained putting only three times. 

One success came at this event last year. But a putting contest that requires exquisite putting could hamper Hojgaard’s chances.