Nico Echavarria birdied two of his remaining three holes on Sunday to report 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 match that Tiger’s received,” Echavarria mentioned. “That is my second victory, so I simply want 80 extra victories to catch him. I am on my means, although.”
Echavarria, who additionally received 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 match and is projected to maneuver to No. 65 within the FedExCup standings after starting the week at No. 113.
“It is surreal,” he mentioned. “It has been a superb 12 months for me, I simply have not had that high outcome. I have been very constant, I’ve realized lots this 12 months. To complete the 12 months this manner is, it is unimaginable, particularly doing it right here in Japan in such a tremendous nation.”
Echavarria collected 5 birdies in opposition to two bogeys throughout his remaining spherical. He reached the par-5 18th in two strokes, pulled inside 3 toes on his subsequent putt earlier than successful the match on his remaining 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 nicely,” Thomas mentioned. “I performed a lot nicely sufficient to win the match. Hit so many good putts right now that simply did not go in, that is the distinction.”
Greyserman, who was searching for his first PGA Tour title, carded 4 of his 5 birdies on the entrance 9. Regardless of sturdy 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 mentioned. “I imply, Nico stepped up there and he hit a fantastic 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 high 5.
–Area Degree Media
