Echavarria Commands Two-Shot Lead at Zozo Championship, Thomas Makes Dramatic Eagle Finish
Colombia’s Nico Echavarria took dominance of the Zozo Championship and opened a two-shot lead in the midpoint. He started right where he left off, firing another 64 and stood at 12-under after the third round of the country’s Narashino Country Club. His seven birdies were almost spoilt by a bogey on the fourth’s par-four 12 after getting his first 36-hole lead on the PGA tour.
Newcomers Thomas and Moore tie in second place.
Justin Thomas showcased his championship levels by shooting another error-free second round ending with a stunning eagle on the last. His tee shot from over 200 yards landed the ball within feet of the green apart from making four birdies for the day. The two time PGA Championship winner pointed at the scoring opportunities available as he said: “You can make a lot of birdies out here if I keep driving it like I have.”
Taylor Moore, who had the first-round lead, was also able to retain the score despite the challenges which include a bogey on the fourth-four 11th. ‘I drove it well, I hit a lot of fairways for the most part,’ Moore said, although he could not get his irons working well and pulled several shots on the back nine that he plans to play well over the weekend.
Some of the best performances and fighting chances for championship are;
The world number two, Xander Schauffele had a bogey-free fifth round, making five birdie gains to move to two under, reversing the terrible quadruple bogey start on Thursday. But fourth place was captured by Eric Cole who ended at nine-under-par and was short changed by a bogey on the par-four ninth green.
Collin Morikawa, the defending champion, battled back from a double bogey in the first three holes by making five birdies. However, he is eight strokes behind the leader Echavarria to give the championship what may well be an interesting weekend of golf.
