PGA TOUR
Nico Echavarria Wins ZOZO Championship
Nico Echavarria clinched his second PGA TOUR victory at the ZOZO Championship in Japan after a thrilling final round. The 30-year-old Colombian battled alongside Justin Thomas and Max Greyserman. Echavarria’s victory came after closing with birdie-par-birdie over the final three holes to fire a final round 3-under 67 to reach 20-under for the week. He claimed his first PGA TOUR title at the 2023 Puerto Rico Open.
Echavarria’s triumph came after he made a strategic grip change to his putter. Ranking 106th in Strokes Gained: Putting for the season, he had struggled on the greens. However, after a conversation with his coach in Las Vegas and some last-minute drills, he made a final grip adjustment Tuesday in Japan, launching him to an impressive eighth in putting and second in Strokes Gained: Approach the Green for the week. Five days later, that adjustment paid off in a big way.
This victory marks only Echavarria’s second top-10 individual finish on the PGA TOUR—both wins. He came into the tournament having missed three cuts in his last four events but was the surprise leader heading into the final round after setting the 54-hole scoring record.
The win not only cements his status on the PGA TOUR but also brings the added excitement of a debut at the 2025 Masters.
Thomas (66) and Greyserman (65) took a share of second place at 19-under.
Min Woo Lee, who was the only Australian in the field, posted a 5-under 65 on Sunday for a tie in 27th place.
The PGA TOUR moves to Mexico on November 7 for the World Wide Technology Championship to be staged at El Cardinal at Diamante, Los Cabos. South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen is the defending champion.
Final Results
1. Nico Echavarria -20
T2. Justin Thomas -19
T2. Max Greyserman -19
4. Rickie Fowler -17
5. Kurt Kitayama -15
Australians
T27. Min Woo Lee -8
