Golfbet recap: Final-hole birdie lifts Nico Echavarria to ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP title
Nico Echavarria clinched his second PGA TOUR title at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP in Japan, marking a breakthrough moment after struggling in recent FedExCup Fall events. Starting the final round with a two-shot lead, Echavarria held off Justin Thomas and Max Greyserman, delivering a clutch birdie on the 18th to secure a 20-under finish, setting a new tournament record at ACCORDIA GOLF Narashino Country Club.
Key Moments:
- Betting Odds Shift: Entering as a +20000 longshot, Echavarria’s odds improved as he maintained a lead. By the final round, he was +125, with Thomas and Greyserman close behind.
- Final-Hole Birdie: Echavarria’s precise approach with a fairway wood on the par-5 18th left him close to the pin, sealing his victory.
- Leaderboard Shifts: Echavarria, Thomas, and Greyserman were all tied at various points, but Echavarria’s consistent approach play (2nd in Strokes Gained: Approach) and strong putting (8th in SG: Putting) proved decisive.
Despite a late surge from Greyserman, who took the lead after the 14th, Echavarria’s resilient birdie on the final hole capped a dramatic win, making him 2-for-2 in converting 54-hole leads on TOUR. Thomas and Greyserman finished a stroke behind, with both missing critical putts in the closing holes, keeping Greyserman’s search for his first PGA TOUR win ongoing.
