INZAI CITY, Japan (AP) — Nico Echavarria clinched victory at the Zozo Championship, birdieing two of the last three holes to finish with a three-under 67 this past Sunday. This remarkable performance not only allowed him to capture the championship by one shot but also qualified him for the Masters next year, marking his debut at the prestigious event.
With this win, the 30-year-old Colombian golfer adds to his accolades, having previously triumphed at the Puerto Rico Open last year. Finishing at 20-under 260 at the Narashino Country Club, Echavarria not only etched his name on the winners list but also shattered the tournament record set by golf legend Tiger Woods in 2019.
Close rivals Justin Thomas and Max Greyserman pushed Echavarria throughout the final round, with both players finishing strong. Thomas, anticipating the upcoming birth of his first child, closed out the championship with a 66. Meanwhile, Greyserman had briefly overtaken the lead, capping off the tournament with a 65, securing his position as runner-up for the third time over his past five tournaments.
Following this thrilling championship, the excitement didn’t end there. Across the globe, Ruoning Yin of China emerged victorious at the Maybank Championship held at the esteemed Kuala Lumpur Golf and Country Club. Closing with a stunning seven-under 65, she broke free from the three-way tie to win by one shot, marking her second victory within three weeks.
Yin is on quite the roll this season, having already claimed the Buick LPGA Shanghai title. Her winning streak continues to build, with three LPGA titles to her name this year, including the Dow Championship team event, where she partnered with Jeeno Thitikul to secure victory.
At the Maybank Championship, Yin fended off Thitikul, who finished with 66 and had to settle for being the runner-up for consecutive years. South Korean golfer Haeran Ryu aimed to make her own mark with a 67 but ended up two shots behind Yin.
Meanwhile, the European Tour showcased exciting golf as Byeong Hun An clinched the Genesis Championship title, defeating Tom Kim in dramatic fashion with an 8-foot birdie putt on the final hole. This marks An’s second European title, with his previous win dating back nine years to the BMW PGA Championship.
An not only secured the win but also moved up the world rankings to No. 27 following this impressive performance. Kim, closing with another 67, came tantalizingly close yet fell just short.
On the PGA Tour Champions, Padraig Harrington showcased his veteran prowess, finishing with a five-under 67 to win the Simmons Bank Championship by two shots. This is Harrington's third title of the year, attesting to his enduring competitiveness and skill.
Harrington faced some challenges from Y.E. Yang, who made ten birdies with his final day 65, but the Irishman remained steady, closing with three pars and ending strong to secure his title.
Interestingly, Chieh-po “Max” Lee of Taiwan made waves at the International Series Thailand, closing out with a 7-under 63 to also capture victory, outpacing leaders Peter Uihlein and Richard T. Lee.
Across various tours, the world of golf is alive and thriving with young talents, seasoned pros, and nail-biting finishes. Amidst this fervor, Echavarria's win at the Zozo Championship stands out as not only significant for himself but also for the rising talents eager to make their mark at the highest levels of the sport.
