In a stunning display of clutch golf, Colombia’s Nico Echavarria eagled the final hole on Saturday to seize a two-shot lead heading into the final round of the Zozo Championship in Inzai City, Japan. The 30-year-old, who claimed his maiden PGA Tour victory last year in Puerto Rico, carded a 5-under 65 to reach 17-under par for the tournament, setting the stage for a blockbuster Sunday showdown with some of the sport’s biggest names.
Chasing Echavarria is 15-time PGA Tour winner Justin Thomas, who despite his illustrious career, finds himself in the midst of a puzzling 2 1/2 year winless drought dating back to his triumph at the 2022 PGA Championship. Thomas, renowned for his ability to go low when it matters most, will undoubtedly be looking to summon some of his old magic as he seeks to end his victory famine and deny the surging Colombian a second tour title.
But the duo at the top won’t be the only storyline to watch in what promises to be a nail-biting final round at the pristine Narashino Country Club. Just three shots off the pace sits Max Greyserman, a talented young American still in search of his breakthrough win on golf’s biggest stage. Greyserman, who fired a sizzling 64 on moving day, will be hoping to ride the momentum of his third-round charge and etch his name into golfing lore with a maiden PGA Tour victory on Japanese soil.
A Star-Studded Chasing Pack
Further down the leaderboard, but by no means out of contention, lurks a trio of accomplished competitors in Kevin Yu, Rickie Fowler, and Nate Lashley. Yu and Fowler, both sitting at 11-under par, will be acutely aware that low numbers are there for the taking on the scoreable Narashino layout, while Lashley, who matched Greyserman’s 64 on Saturday, has already demonstrated his capacity to go low and vault himself into the mix.
Notably absent from the late-tournament drama are the pre-tournament favorites, defending champion Collin Morikawa and world No. 6 Xander Schauffele. Both Americans find themselves a distant 13 shots adrift of Echavarria, their hopes of victory all but extinguished barring a miraculous final-round charge coupled with a monumental collapse from the leaders.
Local hero Hideki Matsuyama, Japan’s greatest golfing export and a perennial fan favorite wherever he tees it up, gave his adoring galleries something to cheer about with a third-round 66. However, at 15 shots back, the 2021 Masters champion will likely be resigned to playing for pride and a strong finish come Sunday.
Echavarria’s Moment of Magic
The undisputed highlight of the third round belonged to the man who will sleep on the 54-hole lead, Nico Echavarria. Standing on the tee of the mammoth 550-yard par-5 18th, the Colombian knew he needed something special to separate himself from the chasing pack. What followed was a moment of golfing brilliance that will live long in the memory of all who witnessed it.
“I mean, that’s the way you want to finish a round,” gushed Echavarria. “I had a good tee shot, hit a really good second shot and finished with an eagle. I prefer that than a birdie obviously.”
After a booming drive found the fairway, Echavarria uncorked a magnificent 5-wood that soared over the water guarding the green, coming to rest just two feet from the hole for a tap-in eagle. The shot was a fitting exclamation point on a round that saw the unheralded South American overcome a shaky back-nine start to cement his status as the man to beat heading into Sunday.
Final Round Forecast
With a star-studded leaderboard, idyllic weather conditions, and the tantalizing prospect of a life-changing victory on the line, the stage is set for a final round for the ages at the Zozo Championship. Will Nico Echavarria cap off a dream week with his second PGA Tour win, or will Justin Thomas rediscover his winning touch and end his lengthy drought? Perhaps Max Greyserman or one of the chasers will produce a final-round flourish and steal the show at Narashino Country Club.
One thing is for certain: golf fans across the globe will be glued to their screens as the drama unfolds in the Land of the Rising Sun. With so many compelling storylines and so much at stake, the Zozo Championship is poised to deliver a Sunday spectacle unlike any other. Buckle up, golf aficionados – the fireworks are about to begin in Inzai City.
