GOLF: Shane Lowry's collapse allows Nico Echavarria to win Cognizant Classic

Colombia's Nico Echavarria kept it simple and steady to claim victory at the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches.

Echavarria shot a 5-under-par 66 in the final round and took advantage of late struggles from Ireland's Shane Lowry to win Sunday at Palm Beach Gardens, Fla.

"I had some good breaks," Echavarria said. "To win out here, sometimes you have to have good breaks if you're not Scottie Scheffler hitting it perfectly every time. So I'm happy with how it went."

Trailing by three strokes on the back nine, Echavarria finished with a total score of 17-under 267 at PGA National’s Champion Course. This marked his first PGA Tour victory since 2024 and his third overall. He finished two strokes ahead of Lowry, Austin Smotherman, and Taylor Moore.

Lowry, who shot 68, seemed on track for the win until double-bogeys on holes 16 and 17 derailed his round. His tee shots on both holes landed in the water.

"I had the tournament in my hands, and I threw it away," Lowry said. Until then, he was 6 under for the round without a bogey.

Echavarria, who had no bogeys on Sunday, was aware of Lowry's troubles developing behind him. After Echavarria’s tee shot on the 18th hole, he and his caddie realized Lowry might face more issues.

"I think he hit it in the water again," Echavarria recalled. "It was more about playing smart, getting a 5 on 18, and just finishing the round."

Lowry had earlier praised the course but said it had become easier in recent years. He started the back nine with an eagle on the par-5 10th, looking in control until the final holes.

In a fitting twist, the win felt like a hometown victory for Echavarria, who recently closed on a home in Palm Beach Gardens with his wife.

Smotherman finished with a 69, including a birdie on the last hole, while Moore shot 68 for the second-best finish of his career.

"I was happy to put four rounds together," Moore said. "It’s been a while since I’ve done that, and I was pleased with how I regrouped after a bogey on No. 6 and played solid golf the rest of the way."

Ricky Castillo finished fifth at 13 under after a final-round 68. Brooks Koepka tied for the best score of the day with 65, finishing ninth at 10 under, his best result in three events since returning to the PGA Tour this winter.

"Finally found some confidence," Koepka said. "Once you get inside the ropes, it feels natural."

Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard also carded 65, finishing in a six-way tie for sixth at 11 under with William Mouw and Keith Mitchell.

"I'm really happy with my weekend," Hojgaard said. "The first couple of days were rough, so to finish strong today was great."

- Field Level Media/Reuters