Three-time-PGA Tour winner Shane Lowry shot a bogey-free 8-under 63 on Saturday at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches.

The round moved him into a share of the 54-hole lead at 13-under par, tied with Austin Smotherman at 200 total strokes.

Lowry was 6-under through his first 10 holes and added birdies on the 17th and 18th to close the round. The 63 marked his lowest score in competition at PGA National Resort & Spa.

He began the week with a 70 and followed with a 67 before Saturday’s move up the leaderboard.

As Lowry walked off the 18th green following his third round at the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, he was greeted by the 18-time major champion Jack Nicklaus. Nicklaus kept it direct, saying, “Good round," as per The Palm Beach Post.

During the third round of the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches, Shane Lowry played holes 15, 16, and 17, known as the Bear Trap, in 1-under par.

He closed the three-hole stretch with a birdie at the 17th. Lowry hit a 141-yard tee shot to 11 feet and converted the putt to move further up the leaderboard.

That moment did not go unnoticed by the 86-year-old. “When he holed that putt, I can guarantee you that the Bear’s Club erupted,” Nicklaus said. “Because they love him. Everybody loves him at the Bear’s Club. He’s a good guy. He’s a really nice guy. He works hard at his game.”

If their exchange at PGA National felt natural, it is because they've shared a connection for years.

Jack Nicklaus and Shane Lowry Share a History

Jack Nicklaus has been a longtime supporter of Shane Lowry. So, when Lowry lost at the 2016 U.S. Open, Nicklaus backed him.

"Shane’s got to learn from it. He is a good player. There is no question that he is a good player and has already won in the United States," said Nicklaus.

Three years later, on the eve of Lowry’s win at the 2019 Open Championship, Nicklaus sent an encouraging text.

"Lack Nicklaus’ message on Saturday night was class. I read that and saw he was wishing me luck," Shane Lowry told reporters after the win.

Today, at the time of writing, Lowry has a prime chance of winning the 2026 Cognizant Classic. Do you think he'll make Nickalus proud once again?

Let us know in the comments and follow Club Golf for more.

Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi