Nico Echavarria Triumphs in Tight Finish at ZOZO Championship

Nico Echavarria Triumphs in Tight Finish at ZOZO Championship
(AP Photo/Tomohiro Ohsumi)

Nico Echavarria claimed a second PGA TOUR title of his career thanks to a narrow one-shot victory at the ZOZO Championship.

The 30-year-old Colombian, whose only previous triumph on the PGA TOUR came at the Puerto Rico open in 2023, shot a three-under 67 in the final round at the Narashino Country Club in Inzai which included two birdies in the final three holes to overcome rivals Max Greyserman and Justin Thomas.

“I took a lot from that and just kept myself calm,” Echavarria said.

“It was very fun, that was a lot of fun with these two guys battling it out.

“It’s been a lot of work, it’s been a lot of rough weeks but moments like this are the ones that make everything better. It’s the second win on the PGA TOUR, not a lot of people get to win two times on the PGA TOUR.”

Justin Thomas, who was on the hunt for his first win on the PGA TOUR in over two years, closed with a final-round 66 to finish tied-second but expressed his disappointment in not being able to snatch his first title since the 2022 PGA Championship.

“Obviously bummed and disappointed, but I played so well,” he said.

“I played plenty well enough to win the tournament. Hit so many good putts that just didn’t go in, that’s the difference.”

While Greyserman, who was searching for a maiden triumph, also finished runner-up, a position that has become a familiar one for him in his recent PGA TOUR appearances.

“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.”

What is the next event?

The next event on the PGA TOUR is the World Wide Technology Championship taking place between 7-10 November at El Cardonal at Diamante in Mexico.