GOLF.AI • Feb 28, 2026

Ewart: From Fan to Contender

The breakout star of Friday’s second round at the Cognizant Classic wasn't one of the usual suspects. Instead, it was A.J. Ewart, a former collegiate golfer from nearby Barry University, who stole the show by firing the round of the day, a blistering 7-under 64.

The performance vaulted him into a tie for third place, turning the tournament into a quintessential "home game" for the Canadian. But there's a fascinating twist to this Cinderella story: Ewart had never played a single competitive round at PGA National before this week.

His knowledge of the notoriously tough track comes from a different perspective—the stands. Ewart recalled attending the tournament as a fan, even sitting in the infamous "Bear Trap" to watch players like Brooks Koepka. "Coming into the week, I had never actually played the golf course, but I felt like I knew it just from watching it," Ewart said. He even joked about having "a couple too many drinks" in his past life as a spectator.

Ewart's surge provides a fresh and exciting narrative heading into the weekend, proving that sometimes the best course knowledge comes not from practice rounds, but from the keen eye of a dedicated fan.