Shane Lowry fired an 8-under 63 to join Austin Smotherman at 13 under after three rounds of the 2026 Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches. The Irish major champion, who lives near the course, seeks his first individual PGA Tour victory since 2019. Smotherman, chasing his maiden Tour win, birdied the last two holes to hold his share of the lead.
The third round of the 2026 Cognizant Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, concluded early on Saturday due to impending thunderstorms, allowing players to capitalize on calm conditions. Shane Lowry, starting six shots back, posted a bogey-free 63—his lowest round at the venue—to surge into a tie for the lead at 13 under par. "Everything went pretty well, especially early on," Lowry said. "Birdieing the last two was kind of the icing on the cake." This marks his first 54-hole lead or co-lead since the 2025 Truist Championship, where he finished tied for second.
Austin Smotherman, who led after the first two rounds following an opening 62, navigated an up-and-down 69 with five birdies and three bogeys, including back-to-back squares on Nos. 6 and 7. He birdied the par-3 17th and par-5 18th to match Lowry. "Most excited for tomorrow," Smotherman said. "I feel like I am ready." The 31-year-old, who won twice on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2025 to regain PGA Tour status, ranks high in strokes gained off-the-tee and approach this week.
Nico Echavarria and Taylor Moore sit one stroke back at 12 under after rounds of 66 and 67, respectively. Jimmy Stanger, returning from elbow issues that sidelined him for nearly two years, shot 65 to claim fifth at 11 under. "It just feels good to be back," Stanger said.
Lowry has three top-five finishes in the last four editions of this event, including a runner-up in 2022 marred by a storm on the 18th hole. The final round on Sunday tees off from the first hole starting at 8:05 a.m. ET, with Lowry and Smotherman paired at 1:45 p.m. ET. Winds from the north are forecast to challenge the Champion Course, particularly the Bear Trap holes 15-17. Coverage airs on Golf Channel from 1-3 p.m. ET and NBC from 3-6 p.m. ET.
