From $1,000 Outsider to $2.6 Million Champion: An Epic Comeback After a Decade

On Saturday morning (AEDT), Joe Highsmith nervously converted a 5-foot putt for par just to make the cut at the Cognizant Classic.

Fast forward two days, and he achieved a remarkable comeback – the largest witnessed on the PGA Tour in almost a decade – securing his first victory by two strokes at PGA National.

Highsmith overcame a four-shot deficit in the final round, scoring three consecutive birdies around the turn. A decisive 20-foot putt for birdie on the par-3 17th nearly sealed his triumph.

After completing his round, he was forced to wait over 30 minutes for the final groups to finish before his win was confirmed. He walked away with a prize of $2.6 million, more than he had earned throughout his entire professional career since turning pro in 2022.

“Winning didn’t even cross my mind,” Highsmith admitted.

“It’s extraordinary to emerge victorious. I played what I believe was the best round of my life.”

Prior to the third round, a poor warm-up had dented Highsmith’s confidence. His mother had even booked a flight for Sunday afternoon, anticipating her son would finish by lunchtime.

However, Highsmith managed to deliver a spectacular third round, prompting her to change her travel plans so she could watch him lift the trophy.

“My warm-up was awful, and I only putted reasonably well on the practice green,” Highsmith said.

“But that actually helped me focus as soon as the round began, as I felt like I might hit out-of-bounds on every hole.

“It surprisingly turned into one of my finest rounds.”

Highsmith also received a bit of luck from Jake Knapp, who started the tournament with a 59 but fell apart after a disastrous triple bogey on the back nine, ultimately losing his chance at victory.

Knapp had a narrow lead when his second shot on the par-4 11th found the water, with half the ball submerged. In his desperate attempt to get it out, he watched helplessly as it rolled back down the slope and into the water once more. He tried again, managing to get the ball to hold up in the rough.

“I didn’t hit them hard enough, unfortunately,” Knapp reflected.

After chipping onto the green and two-putting for a 7, Knapp tumbled from the top spot to a tie for fifth. He failed to score another birdie in his round, finishing with a 72, which placed him sixth alongside Michael Kim (71), who played with him in the final group.

At just 24 years old, Highsmith – a left-handed golfer sporting a bucket hat and a big grin – became the first player since Brandt Snedeker at Torrey Pines in 2016 to make the cut on the number and win.

With numerous players vying for the title heading into the final round, the stage was set for an exciting finish, where five players shared the lead at various points.

Highsmith dispelled any uncertainty in the final hour with a flawless performance, finishing the weekend at 14-under 128. His surge commenced with a wedge shot to within 3 feet on the 9th hole. He two-putted for birdie on the par-5 10th and sank an 18-foot birdie on the 11th.

He added another 15-foot birdie putt on the 13th to take control before sealing the victory with his birdie on the 17th down the slope.

He was all smiles as he left the 18th green, celebrating with his caddie Joe LaCava IV – son of the notable caddie famed for assisting Masters champions Fred Couples in 1992 and Tiger Woods in 2019 – who currently works for Patrick Cantlay.

Highsmith marks the second consecutive week featuring a first-time winner, following Brian Campbell’s success at the Mexico Open. His victory secures him a place in both the Masters and the PGA Championship, along with the upcoming five signature events, starting next week at Bay Hill.

“Did you say the Masters?” he exclaimed.

“I attended the tournament last year just as a spectator because I seize every opportunity to walk that course.

“To be competing in that tournament is incredibly special and certainly something you’re striving for throughout your life.

“But you never quite know when that opportunity will present itself.”

– with Damien McCartney