Golf Apr 30, 2026

PGA Tour: Shane Lowry collapses in Cognizant Classic closing stages as Nico Echavarria claims Florida crown

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
PGA Tour: Shane Lowry collapses in Cognizant Classic closing stages as Nico Echavarria claims Florida crown

Shane Lowry lost a three-shot lead with two double-bogeys on the 16th and 17th to hand Nico Echavarria the title in the final round of the Cognizant Classic in Florida.

Lowry, the joint-overnight leader following a bogey-free 63 on Saturday, was in a commanding position after making four birdies and an eagle at the 10th over the first 13 holes.

But the Irishman was undone by consecutive double-bogeys at the par-four 16th and par-three 17th, both resulting from tee shots that drifted way right and into the water.

That swiftly ended Lowry's title hopes and meant he had to settle for a three-way share of second.

"I'm obviously extremely disappointed. I had the tournament in my hands, and I threw it away," Lowry said.

"What more can I say? That's twice this year now so far. I'm getting good at it.

"I played unbelievable all day, and one bad shot on 16 completely threw me for the last three holes. It's never happened to me before.

"I said to [my caddie] Darren (Reynolds), how do I feel like this now when I went through what I did last September in Bethpage and got through that fine.

"But I beat myself today. I hit two really bad shots at the wrong time, and that's what this course does to you."

Echavarria, on the other hand, claimed his third career PGA Tour title with a 66, putting him at 17 under thanks to an impressive bogey-free weekend for the Colombian.

"It was a blessing today," Echavarria said.

"I didn't have my best off the tee, but I was able to manage.

"I had some good breaks. To win out here, sometimes you have to have good breaks - if you're not Scottie Scheffler that hits it every time in the perfect place! So I'm happy with how it went."

Lowry shared second place on 15 under with American duo Austin Smotherman - the other joint-overnight leader - and Taylor Moore.

Brooks Koepka also roared back up the standings with a course-best 65 as he continues to find his form after his recent return to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf.

"Yeah, I played really solid the last three days," Koepka said.

"Didn't quite hit it that great yesterday, but just controlling shots I think a lot better.

"Putter obviously has gotten better. I haven't looked at the stats, but just that little adjustment Thursday night made a huge difference.

"Finally found some confidence. I think that's the one thing that's been lacking."

Jordan Smith and Aaron Rai ended up as the highest-placed Englishmen, after Smith's impressive final-round 68 tied him with Rai at 23rd on the leaderboard.

Watch the PGA Tour, majors and more throughout the season live on Your Site Golf. or .

Tags:

golf news

Share this article

Related Posts

Andrea Pavan: Italian golfer discharged from hospital after falling down lift shaft

Andrea Pavan: Italian golfer discharged from hospital after falling down lift shaft

Italian golfer Andrea Pavan has been discharged from hospital days after falling down a lift shaft in South Africa.The 36-year-old fell three floors a...

Brooks Koepka and Shane Lowry combine for Zurich Classic: Field, format and prize money for PGA Tour team event

Brooks Koepka and Shane Lowry combine for Zurich Classic: Field, format and prize money for PGA Tour team event

Shane Lowry and Brooks Koepka will combine for this week's Zurich Classic of New Orleans team event, at TPC Louisiana.They will form part of a field o...

Tiger Woods will not captain US Ryder Cup team for 2027 tournament in Ireland after stepping away from golf after car crash

Tiger Woods will not captain US Ryder Cup team for 2027 tournament in Ireland after stepping away from golf after car crash

Tiger Woods has told the PGA of America he will not captain the US Ryder Cup team in 2027, following his decision to take a break from golf after his...

Rory McIlroy warns PGA Tour and LIV Golf have grown 'too far apart' to bring tours together and reunify men's golf

Rory McIlroy warns PGA Tour and LIV Golf have grown 'too far apart' to bring tours together and reunify men's golf

Rory McIlroy has conceded the PGA Tour and LIV Golf may have grown 'too far apart' to reunify the men’s professional game and bring the world’s best p...

Genesis Invitational: Jacob Bridgeman holds off Rory McIlroy to claim maiden PGA Tour victory by one shot

Genesis Invitational: Jacob Bridgeman holds off Rory McIlroy to claim maiden PGA Tour victory by one shot

Jacob Bridgeman held off Rory McIlroy to claim his maiden PGA Tour victory at The Genesis Invitational as the American won by just one shot having led...

RBC Heritage: Matt Fitzpatrick's caddie offers words used during Rory McIlroy's Grand Slam to inspire play-off win

RBC Heritage: Matt Fitzpatrick's caddie offers words used during Rory McIlroy's Grand Slam to inspire play-off win

Matt Fitzpatrick revealed how his caddie replicated words used during Rory McIlroy’s 2025 Grand Slam success to spur him on to a dramatic play-off vic...