Ryder Cup star Shane Lowry shot to the top of the leaderboard with a bogey free eight-under 63 in the third round of the Cognizant Classic at PGA National.

The Irishman is 13-under for the tournament and shares first place with 31-year-old American Austin Smotherman, who is chasing a maiden PGA Tour victory.

FOX SPORTS, available on Kayo Sports, is streaming The 2026 PGA Tour LIVE & Exclusive | New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

Lowry’s 63 was the equal low round of the day, alongside Patton Kizzire, as he fired eight birdies.

The 2019 Open champion reached the turn in 30 and then ensured he will start the final round in the last group by rolling in back-to-back birdies at 17 and 18.

“Everything went pretty well, especially early on. I hit the ball in the fairway a lot yesterday, and I missed a few fairways early today, but I holed a few nice putts at the start,” Lowry said,

“Then I started hitting the ball really well and giving myself lots of chances and converted a few and I felt like it was just a really nice solid round of golf.

“Birdieing the last two was kind of the icing on the cake.”

Playing golf in Florida has been especially kind to Lowry in recent times.

A reporter pointed out to the 38-year-old that in the last five years, Lowry is the player that is the most under par in tournaments in Florida by “like 32 shots”.

The Irishman pointed to the absence of world No.1 Scottie Scheffler in response.

“Scottie doesn’t play that much around Florida maybe?” he said with a laugh.

“Yeah, I just like Florida golf. When I moved here at first, I hated Florida golf, the grain, Bermuda. Everything about it was tricky for me.

“Just from living down here and spending time down here, I’ve become better at it.”

Get all the latest golf news, highlights and analysis delivered straight to your inbox with Fox Sports Sportmail. Sign up now!!!

Shane Lowry of Ireland shows his ball on the 18th green during the third round of the Cognizant Classic golf tournament, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)Source: AP

Colombia’s Nico Echavarria and American Taylor Moore are at 12-under, one shot back from the leaders.

Ten players within five shots of the lead heading into the final round.

Karl Vilips and Cam Davis were the only Australians in the field but both missed the cut.