
On Moving Day in Japan, the 2024 Zozo Championship heated up, paving the way for a thrilling final round. Nico Echavarria’s outstanding third-round performance put him three strokes clear of Max Greyserman and two ahead of two-time PGA Championship winner Justin Thomas. Echavarria maintained his lead at 17 under par by closing out well with a remarkable eagle on the last hole, despite difficulties and varying leads throughout the day.
Contents
Echavarria’s Impressive Moving Day Finish
Nico Echavarria led Thomas by just two shots at the beginning of Round 3 at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club. On the 18th hole, he finished his round with an eagle utilising a well-executed 5-wood against difficult circumstances and a gloomy sky. Echavarria maintained his top ranking on the scoreboard thanks to his 65 for the day, which demonstrated his tenacity and skill as a shooter.
Echavarria said, “It was very hard to see out there at the end,” in reference to his final shot. I couldn’t tell how close it was because it was so dark and dismal. When I realized that the roar was almost a tap-in, I was elated. It really worked out perfectly, and I had the ideal number for a five-wood that was in the middle of the green.
Thomas presses early
Thomas started with straight birdies and erased Echavarria’s advantage in just two holes. After Echavarria made a birdie on the fourth hole, Thomas took the lead. However, Echavarria picked up speed again and managed to fight off Thomas’ challenges by making four birdies in five holes.
The rivalry grew more intense as they approached the last three holes. Echavarria’s spectacular eagle on the 18th gave him the advantage he needed when the two players were tied. Thomas, meanwhile, was two shots behind going into the final round after missing a 4-foot birdie putt on the penultimate hole.
Important Players Following Round 3, the Final Round Leaderboard:
One Echavarria Nico (-17) 2 Thomas Justin (-15) 3. Greyserman, Max (-14).
With his performance getting better every day of the week, Justin Thomas is positioned as the main opponent. He finished a five-under round on the par-70 course without losing a stroke, playing bogey-free golf. With just 18 holes remaining, Thomas must play brilliantly if he is to overtake Echavarria’s lead.
Thomas is still trying to end a two-year winless drought
Thomas acknowledged the competition, saying, “It’s obviously tough.” No matter who you are, winning is not easy. I know what it takes because I’ve won a fair amount of events. I can’t influence what other people do; I just need to concentrate on playing my game.
Competitors to Observe Other Elite Players:
- T4. Nate Lashley, Kevin Yu, and Rickie Fowler (-11) Kurt Kitayama (-10)
- T8. Jhonattan Vegas, Andrew Novak, Eric Cole, and C.T. Pan (-9)
With this tournament marking his 11th consecutive round in the 60s, Rickie Fowler’s steady play stands out among the other contenders. Fowler has made outstanding strides since his regular season and is eager to finish strong, even though there is still room for development in his game. “This tournament, I feel like I haven’t yet reached my peak,” Fowler remarked. “I’m hoping to get things straightened out and have a strong last round.”
A preview of the final round and odds for betting
The odds for the 2024 Zozo Championship (via DraftKings Sportsbook): Nikki Fowler: 45-1; Kevin Yu: 50-1; Kurt Kitayama: 60-1; Nate Lashley: 75-1; Nicco Echavarria: 5/4; Justin Thomas: 7/5; Max Greyserman: 9/2
With his expertise and skill, Thomas joins Echavarria in the final pairing. Despite Echavarria’s remarkable accuracy, solid iron play, and consistent short game, Thomas is keen to make use of his skills. Echavarria, with a slim advantage in the odds, will need to rely on his consistency and poise to hold off Thomas and win in Japan.
With the top candidates vying for the Zozo Championship title, the final round promises to be an exciting back and forth.