Shane Lowry collapse leads to Nico Echavarria's Cognizant win - ESPN
ESPN
March 2, 2026
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Nico Echavarria secured a dramatic victory at the Cognizant Classic after a stunning final round that saw him overtake Shane Lowry, who had seemed poised to win. Trailing by three shots heading into the final three holes, Echavarria carded a flawless 5-under 66, finishing at 17-under 267 to claim his third PGA Tour title and his first in the contiguous United States. Meanwhile, Lowry's hopes were dashed when he suffered back-to-back double bogeys on the 16th and 17th holes due to poor tee shots that found the water, ultimately dropping him from a three-shot lead to second place.
Echavarria's win was marked by his ability to manage the course despite not hitting his best drives. He highlighted the importance of good fortune in securing the victory, acknowledging that such breaks are crucial at PGA National. The victory also earned Echavarria a second Masters invitation and a significant prize of $1.728 million, which he plans to use toward purchasing a home in South Florida. Additionally, his win elevated him to join an elite group of six South American players with at least threePGA Tour victories.
Lowry, who had been in contention at PGA National for five consecutive years without success, expressed deep disappointment over his final performance. Despite
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Originally published on ESPN on 3/2/2026