The land of the rising sun is playing host to a rising star on the PGA Tour this week. Colombia’s Nico Echavarria, still relatively unknown to casual golf fans, has put the field on notice at the Zozo Championship in Japan with back-to-back rounds of 6-under 64. Heading into the weekend, the 29-year-old University of Arkansas product holds a two-stroke advantage over his nearest pursuers, Taylor Moore and Justin Thomas.
Uncharted Territory for Echavarria
While Echavarria notched his maiden PGA Tour victory last year at the Puerto Rico Open, he admits he’s in unfamiliar territory sleeping on a 36-hole lead for the first time in his career. “There’s got to be some pressure,” he acknowledged after his second round. “Hopefully a good round tomorrow can keep me in the lead or around the lead.”
The Medellin native’s bogey-free 64 on Friday included an eagle and four birdies, showcasing his comfort level on the tree-lined fairways and slick bentgrass greens of the Narashino Country Club. At 12-under par, Echavarria looks to become the first Colombian to win an event on the PGA Tour’s Asian swing.
Big Names Lurking
Echavarria will have his work cut out for him if he hopes to convert his halfway lead into a trophy on Sunday. Fifteen players are within five shots of his lead, including major champions Justin Thomas and Rickie Fowler.
“I feel like I’ve got a good game plan out here. I just have to execute shots a little better.”
– Collin Morikawa, defending Zozo Championship winner
Thomas, seeking his first worldwide win in over two years, carded a 64 of his own on Friday to reach 10-under. The two-time PGA champion is renowned for his ability to hang tough on the weekend when in contention.
Fan favorite Fowler, whose maternal grandparents are Japanese, also lurks just four back after rounds of 68-64. The five-time PGA Tour winner would love nothing more than to break his recent victory drought in his ancestral homeland.
Low Numbers Abound
Soft conditions and accessible hole locations led to a birdie bonanza on day two, with over half the field breaking par. Irishman Séamus Power took full advantage, firing a sterling bogey-free 62 that featured eight birdies and an eagle.
Other notable moves were made by:
- Xander Schauffele – 65 (-5 overall)
- Collin Morikawa – 67 (-4)
- Tommy Fleetwood – 66 (-6)
- Maverick McNealy – 65 (-7)
Unfortunately, Masters champion and hometown hero Hideki Matsuyama could only muster a second straight 71, leaving him well off the pace at 2-over par. The large galleries that flocked to see him will undoubtedly be disappointed, but the leaderboard is hardly short on star power and intrigue.
Moving Day Awaits
With the halfway cut falling at even par, 67 players have advanced to compete over the final 36 holes. How will the unheralded Echavarria handle the pressure of leading as more experienced contenders nip at his heels? One thing is for certain – sparks are bound to fly this weekend in the Chiba Prefecture.
According to a source close to Echavarria’s camp, the long-hitting Latino spent extra time on the practice putting green Friday evening, determined to tidy up his lag putting which he felt cost him a few strokes during round two. Time will tell if that extra preparation pays off as the stakes continue to rise.
One final thing to monitor: the weekend weather forecast calls for increasing winds with gusts up to 25 miles per hour. That could level the playing field, placing a premium on ballstriking and trajectory control. In other words, settle in for a nail-biting finish at the Zozo Championship.
