During the 2025 Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches, Daniel Berger wasn’t exactly the frontrunner, being fourth in the pre-tournament betting odds. However, after an improbable escape from a palm tree predicament on his very first hole, he found a spark of momentum that might just propel his game forward.
Berger kicked off his tournament on the potentially forgiving par-5 10th hole at PGA National’s Champion Course. But what should have been a smooth start took a surprising turn. His initial swing sent the ball soaring to the left, covering an impressive 345 yards. Yet, the impressive distance wasn’t quite the highlight — it crashed into the fronds at the top of a palm tree, making for an awkward start.
The rules left him no choice but to take a penalty stroke and head back to the tee, unable to spot his ball. With the penalty, he now faced the sizable 556-yard hole with only three shots left to rescue par.
Staying calm, Berger hit his second drive squarely down the fairway, marking 293 yards. This left him with a challenging 260-yard approach shot for his next play. His fourth stroke slightly overshot the green, leaving a tricky 24-foot chip from the rough. Facing potential bogey or worse, Berger masterfully chipped the ball out of the rough, watching it roll directly into the hole, achieving a spectacular chip-in par.
For those who want to visualize this remarkable start, a digital rendering of Berger’s opening hole is available on the PGATour.com.
This bumpy beginning didn’t rattle Berger; instead, it seemed to ignite his form. Riding on this momentum, he snagged birdies on holes 11, 15, and 16. The momentum-fueled tear through the course didn’t stop there. Berger nailed four consecutive birdies from holes 18 to 3, rocketing to seven under through his initial 12 holes.
The unexpected drama at the start was just the beginning of his tournament. It set the stage for a series of impressive plays that kept fans and commentators eagerly watching as Berger’s game unfolded.
