Columbian Nico Echavarria is a three-time PGA Tour winner but only after Shane Lowry self-destructed, losing a three-shot leading cushion with three holes to play, posting back-to-back double-bogeys at the 16th and 17th holes during the final round of the Cognizant Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens in Florida.
It has been six years and seven months since Lowry brought his beloved Ireland to a standstill in capturing the 2019 PGA Tour sanctioned Open Championship at Royal Portrush.
Yes, Lowry had teamed with good friend Rory McIlroy two years ago win a team event in New Orleans though his victory in Jack’s event, and just a few miles from the Lowry family home at the Ballen Isles Resort, is a first on Tour since July, 2019.
UNBELIEVABLE ….
You could not have scripted what unfolded today @the_cognizant
All credit to Erico Echavarría capturing a third @PGATOUR but Shane Lowry’s absolutely shattered after the events @PGANatl ‘Bear Trap’
Read: https://t.co/okgcC2J3Ws
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) March 1, 2026
It looked all smiles for Lowry, and for a player who has had more top-10s over the last six years of any player competing in the state of Florida but without a win.
Lowry, and contesting the event for a ninth occasion, looked all set to bury that unwanted statistic when he turned a somewhat struggling first eighth holes into a powerhouse run from the ninth to 15th holes, chipping-in for birdie at the ninth, holing a monster putt for an eagle ‘3’ at the 10th and grabbing back-to-back birdies at 13 and 14.
But in coming the famed Bear Trap, Lowry found water well right off from both the 16th and 17th tees and after leading by three, found himself two shots behind after back-to-back double bogeys and with just a hole to play.
All credit to Echavarria with the 31-year-old posting weekend rounds of 66 for a two-shot 17-under tally win.
The effort was Echavarria’s second week in succession in not dropping a shot over the weekend.
“I am very happy in the way it went today,” he said.
“I was very happy with the great crowd of Latinos out on the course supporting me today, so delighted for them and just so happy to win.”
Victory earned the recently married Echavarria a near two-and-a-half year Tour exemption, a second Masters invitation while the $1.728 million winner’s prize is the biggest of his career, about $200,000 more than what he received for winning the 2024 Baycurrent Championship in Japan.
A now guttered, crestfallen Lowry eventually pared the last in a score of 69 to be tied in second place with the American duo of Taylor Moore (68) and Austin Smotherman (69).
To his enormous credit, Lowry spoke of what unfolded over his closing three holes.
“I’ve never won in front of my four-year old…I only wanted it for her today.”
Raw emotions from 54-hole co-leader Shane Lowry after letting a three shot lead slip away @The_Cognizant. pic.twitter.com/0hStLmlTGA
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) March 1, 2026
“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 Darren (Reynolds – caddy), 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.”
Former LIV golfer Brooks Koepka produced his best finish since rejoining the PGA Tour, signing for a closing 65 to share ninth place at 10-under.
