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Eagle on 18th gives Nico Echavarria two-stroke lead at Zozo

golf26 October 2024 15:26| © Reuters
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Nico Echavarria recorded an eagle on the 18th hole on Saturday to maintain a two-stroke lead after the third round of the Zozo Championship in Chiba, Japan.

Echavarria's tap-in on the 550-yard final hole capped a 5-under-par 65 for the round and ran his total to 17-under 193 at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club.

"I mean, that's the way you want to finish a round," Echavarria said. "I had a good tee shot, hit a really good second shot and finished with an eagle. I prefer that than a birdie obviously."

Echavarria stumbled with a bogey on No 4 before collecting a birdie on four of his next five holes.

The 30-year-old Colombian offset a bogey on No 11 with a birdie on No 15 before capping his round in style.

Echavarria is vying for his second victory on the PGA Tour after capturing his maiden title last year at the Puerto Rico Open.

Like Echavarria, Justin Thomas fired a 65 on Saturday to stay two shots off the pace and in second place.

Thomas, who finished with five birdies during his bogey-free round, is bidding for his 16th career title on the PGA Tour and the first one since winning the 2022 PGA Championship.

"At the end of the day it has been a while, but I've still won a pretty good amount of golf tournaments. I know how to win," Thomas said.

"It's just a matter of executing and doing it and that's really been the biggest difference. There's a reason there's only one every week."

Max Greyserman, who is seeking his first PGA Tour title, registered a 64 on Saturday to sit three strokes back of Echavarria at 14-under.

"Yeah, I'm not necessarily a leaderboard watcher, but if the board's there I'll maybe take a peek," Greyserman said. "I saw where everyone is. You just want to stay within striking distance going into the final round and that's where I'm at. Obviously we would like to be in the lead, but I'm in a good spot to have a chance (on Sunday)."

Nate Lashley shot a 63 on Saturday to reside in a four-way tie for fifth with Kevin Yu (66) and Rickie Fowler (67), with the group six shots off the lead..

South Korea's Sungjae Im carded an 8-under 62 on Saturday to set the tournament record for a best third-round score by one stroke. He ascended into a tie for 12th place at 8-under, nine strokes off the pace.

Defending champion Collin Morikawa recorded a 70 on Saturday to sit in a tie for 39th place at 4-under.

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