INZAI CITY, Japan — Nico Echavarria shot a 6-under 64 on Friday — matching his 64 on Thursday — to guide by two pictures over Taylor Moore and Justin Thomas after the second spherical of the Zozo Championship in Japan.
Thomas shot 64 and Moore carded 67 with three others simply three pictures off the lead together with Séamus Energy, who had the day’s low spherical of 62 on the Narashino Nation Membership.
Thomas has twice gained the PGA Championship however is winless in two years on the PGA Tour.
Eric Cole (67) and C.T. Pan (66) have been additionally three behind heading to Saturday.
“I’ve by no means had a lead after 36 holes,” mentioned Echavarria, a Colombian who performed on the College of Arkansas. His lone PGA win was final yr in Puerto Rico.
He had a two-round whole of 12-under 128.
“I’ve had it after 54, however by no means after 36, so it is good to be on this place. There’s obtained to be some strain,” he added. “Hopefully spherical tomorrow can maintain me within the lead or across the lead. And the way I mentioned yesterday — the aim is to be shut with 9 holes to go.”
Rickie Fowler, a crowd favourite in Japan due to his connections to the nation, shot 64 to go together with a gap 68 and was 4 pictures again going into the weekend. Max Greyserman was additionally 4 behind after a 68.
“It could be superb to win right here,” mentioned Fowler, whose mom has Japanese roots. “Got here shut a couple of years in the past.”
Fowler tied for second in 2022
Fowler described his roots as “fairly far eliminated for Japan, however I am certain I’ve family right here, however I do not know anybody. Japanese tradition’s at all times been a fairly large a part of life rising up. I at all times love being over right here.”
Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama shot his second 71 and was 14 pictures off the lead.
Defending champion Collin Morikawa shot 67 and pulled inside eight shot of the lead, and Xander Schauffele — British Open and PGA winner this season — shot 65 and was 10 behind after a 73 on Thursday.
“I really feel like I’ve obtained recreation plan out right here,” Morikawa mentioned, one other participant with Japanese connections. “I simply should execute pictures a little bit higher.”
“I’m the defending champ, however that does not imply I am instantly going to play higher simply because I gained right here,” he added. “It is a model new week, it is a yr later. I really feel like my golf recreation remains to be in a great place. I simply have not executed my pictures. When that does not occur it makes golf a little bit more durable.”
Schauffele turned 31 on Friday and mentioned he was serenaded earlier than his opening tee shot. He additionally has ties to Japan. His mom grew up in Japan and his grandparents reside within the Tokyo space.
“Good technique to spend my thirty first birthday,” he mentioned.
