January 12, 2024; Honolulu, Hawaii, USA; Nico Echavarria applauds the crowd after making his putt on the ninth hole during the second round of the Sony Open in Hawaii golf tournament at Waialae Country Club. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagen Images Nico Echavarria birdied two of his last three holes to record a one-stroke victory at the Zozo Championship in Chiba, Japan on Sunday.
EchavarrÃa, the 30-year-old Colombian who plays at the University of Arkansas, shot 3-under-par 67 on Sunday and set a tournament-record 20-under 260 at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club. He overtook Tiger Woods’ total of 261 set in 2019.
“To win the tournament that Tiger has won is incredible,” Echavarria said. “This is my second win, so I just need 80 more wins to catch him. However, I’m on my way.”
Echavarria, who also won the 2023 Puerto Rico Open, trailed Max Gresserman (65 on Sunday) and Justin Thomas (66) by one stroke. Echavarria earned $1.53 million for winning the 78-player, no-cut tournament and is projected to move up to No. 65 in the FedExCup standings after starting the week at No. 113.
“It’s unrealistic,” he said. “It’s been a good year for me, I just haven’t had that good a result yet. I’ve been very consistent, I’ve learned a lot this year. To end the year like this, it’s incredible, especially here To do this in such a wonderful country as Japan.”
Echavarria recorded five birdies against two bogeys during his final round. He went within two strokes on the par-5 18th, pulling to within 3 feet on his next putt before winning the tournament on his final stroke.
Thomas, who joined Gresserman in earning $748,000 for his T2 finish, recorded his fourth birdie of the day on the 18th hole and finished his bogey-free round. He missed his 16th career title on the PGA Tour and his first since winning the 2022 PGA Championship.
“Obviously disappointed and frustrated, but I played very well,” Thomas said. “I played well enough to win the tournament. Had so many good putts today that it didn’t go in, that’s the difference.”
Gresserman, who was seeking his first PGA Tour title, made four of five birdies on the front nine. Despite strong putting, he finished runner-up for the third time in his last five events.
“You know, I didn’t act when I needed to,” Gresserman said. “I mean, Nico stepped up there and hit a great second shot (on 18). He earned it.”
Rickie Fowler shot a bogey-free 64 to tie for fourth at 17-under, while Kurt Kitayama (65) tied for fifth at 15-under. His finish brought four Americans into the top five.
–Field Level Media