Nico Echavarria started the day two shots ahead at 10-under and produced five birdies and two bogeys as well as an eagle at the par-5 18th for a 65 to reach 17-under and retain his two-shot lead into the final day at the Zozo Championship.
“[The eagle] was very special. It was very hard to see out there at the end. It was dark, it was gloomy, so I couldn’t tell how close it was. I heard the roar, but when I got there and it was almost tap-in, it was very good.
“I’m just trying to enjoy myself. This is a beautiful country with great people and we’ve had an incredible time. They’ve treated us very well. The crowds have been awesome. So I’m just having a good time out there and making a lot of birdies.”
Echavarria holds the 54-hole lead for the second time on the PGA Tour. His career-low 54-hole score of 193 also sets a new tournament low score (previous: 194/Tiger Woods/2019).
American Justin Thomas also carded a 65, this one bogey-free, to take the solo second place at 15-under.
“I played solid. It’s always a good thing going bogey free, be nice to obviously get another one of those tomorrow.
“I would have obviously loved a couple more there coming in, but I played really, really solid, played really well. You know, I just kind of feel like I did what I needed to do and got it around the course well. It’s nice to post a good score with it.”
Thomas, who has four wins to his name in Asia, is making his first start since his T14 finish at the Tour Championship, with five top-10s during the 2024 season.
American Max Greyserman signed for a 64 marred by a single bogey at the 11th to move into third place at 14-under followed in fourth at 11-under by compatriots Nate Lashley (63) and Rickie Fowler (67) as well as Chinese Taipei’s Kevin Yu (66).
The championship is co-sanctioned with the Japan Golf Tour Organization (JGTO) with a total of 14 JGTO members in the field.
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Nos. 1-50 in the FedExCup standings through the Tour Championship are locked in their positions, while Nos. 51 and beyond carry their FedExCup points into the Fall. Nos. 51-60 through the FedExCup Fall will qualify for two Signature Events in 2025: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, The Genesis Invitational. No players moved into Nos. 51-60 this week.
The Top 125 will be exempt into all Full-Field events and The Players next season and Nos. 126-150 will earn full Korn Ferry Tour status and conditional status on Tour next season.
