Shane Lowry admitted to being 'extremely disappointed' after squandering a three-shot lead in the final round of the Cognizant Classic in Florida, with his four-year-old daughter watching on for what would have been her first victory celebration.
The Irishman was in complete control at Palm Beach Gardens, reaching 19 under par and holding a three-stroke advantage through 15 holes. However, his hopes unravelled dramatically when he hit his tee shot into the water on the 16th, leading to a double bogey. A similar fate befell him on the 17th, another double bogey, allowing Colombia's Nico Echavarria to card a flawless 66 and win by two strokes at 17 under.
Lowry, who finished in a three-way tie for second on 15 under, admitted the collapse was unprecedented. 'I had the tournament in my hands and I threw it away,' he said. 'One bad shot on 16 completely threw me for the last three holes. It’s never happened to me before.' He added that the hardest part was missing the chance to win in front of his daughter, saying, 'I wanted so bad to see her little ginger head running out on the 18th green.'
The former Open champion had previously led the event in 2022 before rain intervened, and also failed to convert a final-day advantage two years ago. This time, he rallied with a brilliant run of birdies and an eagle to build his lead, only to see it disappear in the closing stages.
Echavarria, meanwhile, recorded a blemish-free 66, while Americans Taylor Moore and Austin Smotherman tied with Lowry. Brooks Koepka finished in a tie for ninth on 10 under after a final-round 65, his best result since returning to the PGA Tour from LIV Golf.
