Nico Echavarria birdied two of his ultimate 3 holes on Sunday to checklist 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 Golfing Narashino Nation Membership. He bested Tiger Woods’ overall of 261 set in 2019.
“It is implausible to win a event that Tiger’s gained,” Echavarria stated. “That is my 2nd victory, so I simply want 80 extra victories to catch him. I am on my approach, regardless that.”
Echavarria, who additionally gained the 2023 Puerto Rico Open, edged Max Greyserman (65 on Sunday) and Justin Thomas (66) via one stroke. Echavarria pocketed $1.53 million for successful the 78-player, no-cut event and is projected to transport to No. 65 within the FedExCup standings after starting the week at No. 113.
“It is surreal,” he stated. “It is been a excellent 12 months for me, I simply have not had that prime outcome. I have been very constant, I have discovered so much this 12 months. To complete the 12 months this manner is, it is implausible, particularly doing it right here in Japan in such an incredible nation.”
Echavarria amassed 5 birdies in opposition to two bogeys all over his ultimate spherical. He reached the par-5 18th in two strokes, pulled inside of 3 toes on his subsequent putt earlier than successful the event on his ultimate stroke.
Thomas, who joined Greyserman in pocketing $748,000 for his T2 end, recorded his fourth birdie of the day at the 18th hollow to cap his bogey-free spherical. He fell simply wanting recording his sixteenth profession name at the PGA Excursion and the primary one since successful the 2022 PGA Championship.
“Clearly bummed and disenchanted, however I performed so smartly,” Thomas stated. “I performed masses smartly sufficient to win the event. Hit such a lot of excellent putts lately that simply did not pass in, that is the distinction.”
Greyserman, who used to be in the hunt for his first PGA Excursion name, carded 4 of his 5 birdies at the entrance 9. In spite of robust hanging, he completed as a runner-up for the 3rd time in his previous 5 occasions.
“You understand, I did not reasonably execute down the stretch once I had to,” Greyserman stated. “I imply, Nico stepped up there and he hit a super 2nd shot (on 18). He earned it.”
Rickie Fowler shot a bogey-free 64 to complete in fourth position at 17-under, whilst Kurt Kitayama (65) ended up in 5th at 15-under. Their finishes put 4 American citizens within the most sensible 5.
–Box Stage Media
