Lee Kyoung-hoon (35, CJ) will return to the PGA Tour after recovering from a hip injury that sidelined him for nearly a year.
Lee has been confirmed in the field for the Cognizant Classic, which tees off February 26 at PGA National Champion Course (par 71, 7,223 yards) in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The tournament carries a total purse of $9.6 million.
This marks Lee's first PGA Tour start in 11 months, since withdrawing after the first round of the Houston Open last March.
Lee won twice on the PGA Tour in 2021 and 2022 but struggled through the 2025 season due to hip problems. After finishing tied for 67th at the Phoenix Open in February last year, he missed the cut in five consecutive events before his withdrawal at the Houston Open.
The Korean golfer has been working toward his return by competing twice on the Korn Ferry Tour earlier this month, recording a tied-32nd finish and a missed cut.
Lee missed the cut at this event last year but has positive memories of the venue, having finished tied for fourth in 2024 when the tournament was renamed from the Honda Classic to the Cognizant Classic.
Fellow Korean players Kim Joo-hyung and Kim Seong-hyeon will also compete this week. Kim Si-woo, who recorded a runner-up finish and a third-place result this year, and Im Sung-jae, the 2020 Honda Classic champion, are not in the field.
The marquee names include Brooks Koepka, who left LIV Golf to return to the PGA Tour, defending champion Joe Highsmith, and Jacob Bridgeman, who finished runner-up here last year before winning the Genesis Invitational last week.
PGA National Champion Course, designed by Jack Nicklaus—nicknamed "The Golden Bear"—is famous for its "Bear Trap" stretch from holes 15 through 17. The course has been lengthened by approximately 100 yards from last year. The 15th and 17th are par-3 holes, while the 16th is a par 4.
The Bear Trap claimed a victim last year when Taylor Montgomery, who was tied for seventh through two rounds, made a 7 on the 15th hole in the third round after his tee shot found the water. He added another 7 on the 16th hole in the final round, dropping to a tie for 25th.