Colombia's Nico Echavarria claimed his third PGA Tour title—and first U.S.-based win—at the 2026 Cognizant Classic, finishing at 17-under par with a bogey-free weekend capped by a final-round 66. Shane Lowry built a three-shot lead before consecutive double bogeys on the 16th and 17th handed the $1.728 million victory, 500 FedExCup points, and a 2026 Masters invitation to Echavarria from the record $9.6 million purse.
The 2026 Cognizant Classic, opening the PGA Tour's Florida Swing, concluded with high drama on March 1 at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Nico Echavarria seized victory at 17-under 267, birdieing the par-3 17th to tie Lowry before parring the 18th. The 31-year-old, who recently moved to Florida, predicted the win to his wife Claudia and advisor John Koufax after a strong pro-am, telling them, "Hey, I think I can win this week." He credited softer Bermuda greens from rain for his putting: "Very happy with moving down here, winning this event, and representing my country. This course fits me well—it's a ball-striker's course. Sometimes you have to have good breaks."
Ireland's Shane Lowry entered the final round tied at 13-under after a bogey-free 63 on Saturday. He surged ahead with an eagle on the par-5 10th and birdies on 12 and 13, holding a three-shot lead over Echavarria into the Bear Trap (holes 15-17). Disaster struck on the par-4 16th with a tee shot into water, leading to a penalty drop, layup, and double bogey. His par-3 17th tee shot found water short and right for another double—the first back-to-back doubles of his Tour career—dropping him to 15-under. Lowry parred 18 to tie for second, deeply disappointed: "I'm obviously extremely disappointed. I had the tournament in my hands, and I threw it away... I only wanted it for her [his daughter]. I've never won in front of my four-year-old, and she was waiting for me." This was his second falter from a strong position this year, after double-bogeying the final hole at the Dubai Invitational, and fifth top-11 in six PGA National starts.
Tying Lowry at 15-under were Americans Taylor Moore (68) and Austin Smotherman (69), who led for 54 holes. Smotherman's 82-foot birdie on 18 secured second, vaulting him to 22nd in FedExCup standings and earning a debut Arnold Palmer Invitational spot: "Huge. First-ever Signature Event, first time playing Bay Hill."
Other notables: Ricky Castillo (5th, $393,600), Nicolai Højgaard, William Mouw, Keith Mitchell (tied 6th, $324,000 each), and Brooks Koepka, who shot 65 in his third event back from LIV Golf to tie ninth at 10-under, citing improved putting.
