Lowry Eight Shots Back as Smotherman Sets the Pace at Cognizant Classic

Shane Lowry faces an uphill battle at the Cognizant Classic in Florida, finishing the opening round eight shots behind leader Austin Smotherman. Smotherman fired a stunning nine-under-par 62 to grab the lead on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Smotherman’s Dominant Round

Austin Smotherman delivered a career-best performance, carding a 62 fueled by six consecutive birdies between the seventh and twelfth holes Sky Sports. This marked the second time Smotherman has achieved a 62 on the PGA Tour, previously accomplishing the feat at the Bermuda Championship in October 2022.

Lowry’s Challenging Start

Lowry struggled to find his rhythm, posting a one-under-par 70. He began on the back nine, securing a birdie on his first hole but then encountered three dropped shots before the turn RTÉ. Despite birdies on the first and third holes, his overall performance left him trailing Smotherman.

Other Notable Performances

Nico Echavarria secured the second position with a 63, even as Séamus Power finished with an even-par round, one shot behind Lowry. Lowry’s putting proved to be a significant challenge, with a total of 50 feet 8 inches made, compared to Smotherman’s impressive 132 feet 2 inches Independent.ie.

Field Composition

Notably, no players currently ranked within the top 25 in the world are participating in this week’s tournament.

More to follow…