Nico Echavarria achieved a remarkable feat by setting a new record at the Zozo Championship, clinching victory with just one stroke to spare.
The Colombian golfer, aged 30, ended the tournament with a total score of -20 after completing 260 strokes. This was the lowest score in the event’s history, surpassing Tiger Woods’ previous best of 19-under 261 from 2019.
Back in 2020, Patrick Cantlay had won with an impressive 23-under score, but that was on a different course layout due to the pandemic. In this year’s competition, Echavarria started strong with rounds of 64-64-65 over the first three days, gaining a two-stroke lead and edging closer to his second PGA Tour title since his win at the Puerto Rico Open in 2023. On Sunday, he managed to fend off Justin Thomas and Max Greyserman by finishing with a solid three-under 67.
Key Moments and Strategies:
Echavarria’s success largely came from his skill on par-3 holes during the final round. Out of four chances, he scored birdies on three occasions. However, his decisive moment came on a par-5 hole right after making a bogey on the 14th hole. Greyserman missed his chance to reach -20 on the last hole while Thomas tied for second place thanks to a birdie at the end. Echavarria needed just one more birdie from three feet away and he nailed it.
Reflecting on his victory, Echavarria said: “I was very nervous starting, but I managed it well. I made a lot of key putts out there.” He expressed excitement about overcoming many tough weeks and shared how thrilling it was competing against Thomas and Greyserman throughout most of their matchups .
Fans might think this win shows how unpredictable golf can be sometimes! Despite missing several cuts recently, Echavarria made changes that paid off big time.
Before this tournament began nobody expected much because he’d missed three cuts outta four starts lately; however changing up his putting grip helped him finish eighth overall for Strokes Gained: Putting—a huge improvement considering earlier struggles outside top-100 rankings all season long!
He explained: “New grip this week; that was difference…these greens are rolling so good wasn’t hard make lots putts.”
As result these adjustments not only did Nico earn himself spot next year’s Masters April also gained other perks along way too!
Outside top-three players were separated by mere stroke each—Rickie Fowler placed fourth solo shooting -17 while Kurt Kitayama took fifth scoring -15 under par followed closely behind five-way tie sixth between J.J Spaun Yuta Sugiura Si Woo Kim Eric Cole C.T Pan all finishing thirteen below par respectively
So what do you think? Is Nico gonna keep surprising everyone or will others catch up soon enough?
