Nico Echavarria birdied two of his closing three holes on Sunday to file a one-stroke victory on the Zozo Championship in Chiba, Japan.
Echavarria, a 30-year-old Colombian who performed on the College of Arkansas, completed 3-under-par-67 on Sunday and set a tournament-record 20-under 260 at Accordia Golf Narashino Nation Membership. He bested Tiger Woods’ whole of 261 set in 2019.
“It is unimaginable to win a event that Tiger’s gained,” Echavarria stated. “That is my second victory, so I simply want 80 extra victories to catch him. I am on my approach, although.”
Echavarria, who additionally gained the 2023 Puerto Rico Open, edged Max Greyserman (65 on Sunday) and Justin Thomas (66) by one stroke. Echavarria pocketed $1.53 million for successful the 78-player, no-cut event and is projected to maneuver to No. 65 within the FedExCup standings after starting the week at No. 113.
“It is surreal,” he stated. “It has been a superb 12 months for me, I simply have not had that prime end result. I have been very constant, I’ve discovered loads this 12 months. To complete the 12 months this fashion is, it is unimaginable, particularly doing it right here in Japan in such an incredible nation.”
Echavarria collected 5 birdies towards two bogeys throughout his closing spherical. He reached the par-5 18th in two strokes, pulled inside 3 toes on his subsequent putt earlier than successful the event on his closing stroke.
Thomas, who joined Greyserman in pocketing $748,000 for his T2 end, recorded his fourth birdie of the day on the 18th gap to cap his bogey-free spherical. He fell simply in need of recording his sixteenth profession title on the PGA Tour and the primary one since successful the 2022 PGA Championship.
“Clearly bummed and disenchanted, however I performed so effectively,” Thomas stated. “I performed lots effectively sufficient to win the event. Hit so many good putts as we speak that simply did not go in, that is the distinction.”
Greyserman, who was in search of his first PGA Tour title, carded 4 of his 5 birdies on the entrance 9. Regardless of robust placing, he completed as a runner-up for the third time in his previous 5 occasions.
“, I did not fairly execute down the stretch once I wanted to,” Greyserman stated. “I imply, Nico stepped up there and he hit an ideal second shot (on 18). He earned it.”
Rickie Fowler shot a bogey-free 64 to complete in fourth place at 17-under, whereas Kurt Kitayama (65) ended up in fifth at 15-under. Their finishes put 4 Individuals within the prime 5.
–Discipline Degree Media
