Nico Echavarria units course file, holds off pair to win at Zozo

Nico Echavarria birdied two of his final three holes on Sunday to record a one-stroke victory at the Zozo Championship in Chiba, Japan.

Echavarria, a 30-year-old Colombian who played at the University of Arkansas, finished 3-under-par-67 on Sunday and set a tournament-record 20-under 260 at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club. He bested Tiger Woods’ total of 261 set in 2019.

“It’s incredible to win a tournament that Tiger’s won,” Echavarria said. “This is my second victory, so I just need 80 more victories to catch him. I’m on my way, though.”

Echavarria, who also won the 2023 Puerto Rico Open, edged Max Greyserman (65 on Sunday) and Justin Thomas (66) by one stroke. Echavarria pocketed $1.53 million for winning the 78-player, no-cut tournament and is projected to move to No. 65 in the FedExCup standings after beginning the week at No. 113.

“It’s surreal,” he said. “It’s been a good year for me, I just haven’t had that top result. I’ve been very consistent, I’ve learned a lot this year. To finish the year this way is, it’s incredible, especially doing it here in Japan in such an amazing country.”

Echavarria collected five birdies against two bogeys during his final round. He reached the par-5 18th in two strokes, pulled within 3 feet on his next putt before winning the tournament on his final stroke.

Thomas, who joined Greyserman in pocketing $748,000 for his T2 finish, recorded his fourth birdie of the day on the 18th hole to cap his bogey-free round. He fell just short of recording his 16th career title on the PGA Tour and the first one since winning the 2022 PGA Championship.

“Obviously bummed and disappointed, but I played so well,” Thomas said. “I played plenty well enough to win the tournament. Hit so many good putts today that just didn’t go in, that’s the difference.”

Greyserman, who was seeking his first PGA Tour title, carded four of his five birdies on the front nine. Despite strong putting, he finished as a runner-up for the third time in his past five events.

“You know, I didn’t quite execute down the stretch when I needed to,” Greyserman said. “I mean, Nico stepped up there and he hit a great second shot (on 18). He earned it.”

Rickie Fowler shot a bogey-free 64 to finish in fourth place at 17-under, while Kurt Kitayama (65) ended up in fifth at 15-under. Their finishes put four Americans in the top five.

–Field Level Media