INZAI CITY, Japan — Nico Echavarria showcased an impressive performance on Friday with a 6-under 64, matching his score from Thursday, and now leads the Zozo Championship by two strokes over Taylor Moore and Justin Thomas as the tournament enters its second round.
Justin Thomas mirrored Echavarria with a strong 64 while Moore posted a 67. Several players made a move, with Seamus Power achieving the lowest score of the day at 62, placing him in a tie with Eric Cole (67) and C.T. Pan (66), all just three strokes from the top.
Echavarria, hailing from Colombia and a former University of Arkansas player, expressed excitement at being in this position, stating that he had never experienced leading after 36 holes. His cumulative score now stands at 12-under 128. He previously won his first and only PGA title last year in Puerto Rico. “There’s definitely some pressure, but if I can put together another solid round tomorrow, I can stay in contention,” he said, adding that his aim is to remain close with only nine holes remaining.
Rickie Fowler, who has a personal connection to Japan and is a favorite among the fans, fired a 64 to supplement his opening round of 68, leaving him four shots off the lead going into the weekend. Max Greyserman is also four back after shooting a 68. “Winning here would mean a lot, especially since my mother has Japanese heritage,” Fowler remarked, highlighting his deep appreciation for the culture he’s grown up with—even if distant from his roots. He finished tied for second in 2022.
On another note, Japanese golfer Hideki Matsuyama recorded a second round of 71, putting him 14 strokes behind the leader. Defending champion Collin Morikawa improved his play with a 67, trailing the leader by eight shots. Fellow player Xander Schauffele, who clinched both the British Open and PGA titles this season, shot a 65 after an opening round of 73, positioning him 10 shots from the front.
“I feel confident about my game plan out here,” Morikawa said about his approach, along with acknowledging his unique connection to Japan. “Although being the defending champ doesn’t guarantee good play, I believe my skills are still solid. I just need to sharpen my execution.”
Xander Schauffele celebrated his 31st birthday on Friday and enjoyed a warm serenade before his tee-off. With his mother originating from Japan and grandparents residing in the Tokyo area, he shared his joy of celebrating his birthday in this way. “It’s a memorable way to mark my 31st,” he said.