Back-to-Back Meltdowns on the PGA Tour

Early in March not everybody is thinking about the PGA Tour. College basketball is all the rage, and it promises plenty of drama. This year, however, golf is providing the drama.

Early in the afternoon on March 1st, Shane Lowry had the Cognizant won. There were no doubts about that. A four-stroke lead with four holes to go for a golfer playing lights out is a foregone conclusion. Then he melted down.

Playing in Palm Beach is somewhat of a home field advantage for Lowry. The Irish native has adopted Palm Beach as his American hometown, and he is very familiar with PGA National. He has never won there, but he has come close on multiple occasions. This year’s Cognizant was closer than close.

As officials were busy etching his name into the trophy and reporters were thinking of what questions to ask him, Lowry was met with the Bear Trap. Holes 15, 16, and 17 at PGA National have a well-earned reputation for changing the trajectory of a golfer’s round. Even a golfer as experienced as Lowry is no match for the Bear Trap.

After putting one in the drink off the tee on the 15th, the door was open for Hechavarria to sneak back into contention. Even still, forcing a playoff was somewhat farfetched.

Then he did it again. Back-to-back holes with an errant tee shot and a penalty stroke. A birdie from Hechavarria would be enough to take the lead and force Lowry to eagle the 18th or just lose outright. Another heartbreaking finish at PGA National for Lowry, the man who blew it at the Bear Trap just a season ago when a freak rainstorm blew in and upended his final round.