Colombian golfer Nico Echavarria secured his second PGA Tour title at the Zozo Championship with a remarkable performance at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club. Echavarria’s victory comes after his first win at the Puerto Rico Open, where he proved to himself that he was better than he thought. He stated that this second win further solidifies his confidence and skills as a golfer, highlighting the importance of his previous victory in Puerto Rico.
Despite a somewhat inconsistent season with only one top 10 finish and three missed cuts in his recent starts, Echavarria surprised many by taking the lead in the Zozo Championship with impressive rounds of 64, 64, and 65, setting a tournament scoring record after 54 holes. Tied for the lead at the 72nd hole, Echavarria managed to secure the win by reaching the par-5 18th in two shots and sinking a critical eagle putt to finish with a tournament record 20-under 260, narrowly beating Justin Thomas and Max Greyserman by one shot.
Starting the final round two strokes ahead, Echavarria initially faltered with a bogey at No. 8 but regained the lead with a birdie on No. 13. Despite some ups and downs on the back nine, Echavarria maintained his composure and secured birdies at key moments to stay in contention. It was not until the 72nd hole that Echavarria clinched the victory with a tap-in for birdie, making history with his impressive performance.
Runner-up Max Greyserman, who narrowly missed out on the victory, acknowledged Echavarria’s strong play and admitted that he felt comfortable and confident throughout the tournament. Despite missing a crucial birdie opportunity on the final hole, Greyserman reflected positively on his consistent putting performance during the event, finishing with another strong result after a series of close calls in recent tournaments.
Justin Thomas, who closed with a bogey-free 66, expressed mixed emotions after finishing in third place. Thomas, a former world No. 1, struggled with his putting stroke during the final round, despite leading the field in multiple statistical categories. This disappointment was tempered by Thomas’s overall performance, which included solid play and only one bogey throughout the entire tournament.
Rickie Fowler, who shot a bogey-free 64 to finish in fourth place, made a strong comeback in the Zozo Championship after a challenging season. Fowler’s performance marked his first top-10 finish in 23 starts and showcased his potential for success in future tournaments. With a renewed sense of confidence and momentum, Fowler will look to build on this result as he continues his quest for another PGA Tour victory.
