INZAI CITY, Japan — Nico Echavarria claimed the Zozo Championship for his second PGA Tour victory, capturing 3-under 67 on Sunday to win by a shot over Max Greyserman and Justin Thomas.
Echavarria, a Colombian who performed on the College of Arkansas, birdied two of the ultimate three holes — together with the 18th — so as to add to the title he received final yr on the Puerto Rico Open.
He completed at 20-under 260 on the Narashino Nation Membership, situated about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from central Tokyo. It is course report, topping the 261 Tiger Woods shot in profitable in 2019.
“It is unimaginable to win a event that Tiger’s received,” Echavarria stated, establishing a joke. “That is my second victory, so I simply want 80 extra victories to catch him. I am on my means, although.”
Echavarria stated the win final yr helped construct his confidence.
“I do not assume I’d have received this week with out the victory in Puerto Rico,” he stated. “I pulled quite a bit from that second within the final spherical on Sunday in Puerto Rico, I used it quite a bit this week to remain affected person, keep calm.”
Echavarria hugged his girlfriend, Claudia De Antonio. on the 18th after the victory in what he known as “a really particular second.”
“It is surreal,” he stated. “It has been an excellent yr for me, I simply have not had that high consequence. I have been very constant, I’ve discovered quite a bit this yr. To complete the yr this fashion is, it is unimaginable, particularly doing it right here in Japan in such an incredible nation.”
Thomas, who performed within the remaining threesome with Greyserman and Echavarria, closed with a 66. He’s attempting to win his first PGA title in 2 1/2 years. His final was the 2022 PGA Championship, which gave him 15 PGA titles.
“Clearly bummed and disillusioned, however I performed so properly,” Thomas stated. “I performed loads properly sufficient to win the event. Hit so many good putts at this time that simply did not go in, that is the distinction.”
Greyserman, attempting for his first tour win, took a one-shot lead with a 30-foot birdie on the 14th – his solely birdie on the again 9. He closed with a 65 on the Narashino Nation Membership and has been runner-up in three of his final 5 PGA occasions.
He is a detailed buddy of Echavarria’s. However the loss, in fact, damage.
“You understand, I did not fairly execute down the stretch once I wanted to. I imply, Nico stepped up there and he hit an excellent second shot (on 18). He earned it.”
