Daniel Berger was fourth in the pre-tournament betting odds for the 2025 Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches. But after a miracle save from a palm tree on his very first hole on Thursday, he might have some momentum.
The veteran pro started his tournament on the par-5 10th hole at PGA National’s Champion Course. It should have been an easy way to kick off his round, but things turned ugly fast.
On his very first swing, Berger pounded a drive well left. It flew over 345 yards, which is good, but the problem is where it landed: deep in the frond at the top of a palm tree.
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Without being able to lay eyes on his ball, Berger was forced take a penalty stroke and head back to the tee.
With the stroke-and-distance charge, Berger now stood on the tee of the 556-yard hole with only three shots left to make par.
That’s when the four-time PGA Tour winner got to work.
His second tee shot landed safely in the fairway 293 yards from the tee. But that left him with a lengthy 260-yard approach shot. Berger sent that shot, his fourth, just over the green. He was left with a 24-foot chip from the rough.
Staring down a likely bogey and potential double, Berger popped his ball out of the rough, landed it halfway to the hole and then watched it roll directly into the cup for an incredible chip-in par.
You can check out a digital rendering of Berger’s eventful opening hole below via PGATour.com.
The dramatic start to his tournament didn’t seem to faze Berger. Instead, it kickstarted a torrid stretch.
He made birdie at the 11th hole, as well as 15 and 16. But he wasn’t done there. Berger then ripped off four straight birdies from 18 to 3 to move to seven under through his first 12 holes.
