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INZAI, Chiba Prefecture ― Overnight leader Nico Echavarria birdied the final hole on Sunday, October 27 to finish with a 3-under-par 67 and win the ZOZO Championship by one stroke ahead of Justin Thomas and Max Greyserman.
It was just Echavarria’s second win on the PGA Tour following a victory in Puerto Rico in 2023.
“It’s surreal,” Echavarria said. “This moment is very special. It’s been a good year for me, I just haven’t had that top result. I’ve been very consistent, I’ve learned a lot this year.”
Added Echavarria, “To finish the year this way is, it’s incredible, especially doing it here in Japan in such an amazing country.”
Greyserman took a one-stroke lead with a 30-foot birdie putt on the 14th ― his only birdie on the back nine at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club.
But Echavarria birdied the par-3 16th and the Colombian headed to the par-5 18th tied with Greyserman, and one stroke ahead of 15-time PGA Tour winner Thomas.
Echavarria made a spectacular second shot to reach the green on 18 in two while Greyserman needed three shots to make the green after his tee shot found the rough midway down the fairway.
Playing it safe, Greyserman laid up with an iron out of the trees but it cost him an extra stroke. That proved to be the difference in preventing him from claiming his first-ever PGA Tour win.
Once he made the green, Greyserman two-putted for par to finish with a 5-under 65.
Final Birdie Seals the Win for Echavarria
Echavarria’s long eagle putt landed three feet from the hole and he calmly tapped in for birdie to seal the win with a four-day total of 20-under 260.
“It was very close all day, it was fun,” Echavarria said. “They got off to a hot start and it was very level during the last, I don’t know, 13 holes or 10 holes.”
Added Echavarria “Max played great. Justin has been playing incredible, he hit a lot of good putts that didn’t go in. But overall it was special to finish birdie-par-birdie and take this home.”
Thomas birdied the final hole for a 66 but it wasn’t enough as he was one stroke back, and he finished tied with Greyserman at 19-under 261.
Disappointing Finish for Greyserman and Thomas at the ZOZO Championship
Greyserman rued the lost opportunity on 18.
“Eighteen for myself, I was out of position off the tee, laid up fine,” Greyserman said. “I hit a poor wedge shot, but still had a look. Hit a good putt and it just needed another inch or two.
“I would have liked to have a better look for birdie on that hole especially,” added Greyserman. “You know, didn’t quite execute down the stretch when I needed to. I mean, Nico stepped up there and he hit a great second shot. He earned it.”
It was also a bitter result for Thomas, who hasn’t won since the 2022 PGA Championship. He barely missed a birdie putt on 17 that would have put him into a tie for the lead.
“I played plenty well enough to win the tournament,” Thomas said before adding, “I hit so many good putts today that just didn’t go in, that’s the difference.”
He then said, “I needed some of those ones that burned the edge to fall.”
Added the two-time major champion, “I would have really loved that putt on 17 to fall just to be tied for the lead. I felt like being one back of two people coming into 18 is a tough task to accomplish.”
Fowler Shoots a 64 in Final Round and Places 4th
Rickie Fowler had six birdies in a bogey-free round for a 64 to finish in sole possession of fourth place at 17-under.
“Today I had some pretty good iron play,” Fowler said. “A little shaky starting out, but I think I birdied three of the par 3s, I hit some good shots there. Going bogey-free, I did a good job of keeping it fairly simple and stress-free out there. Wish it was more but still a good week.”
Japan’s Yuta Sugiura had the best day for the host nation with a 64 that left him tied for sixth at 13-under. Sugiura carded six birdies in a bogey-free round for his best round of the tournament.
Hideki Matsuyama closed out with a 68 that left the 2021 Masters champion tied for 46th place at 4-under 276.
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Author: Jim Armstrong
The author is a longtime journalist who has covered sports in Japan for over 25 years. You can find his articles on SportsLook.