What’s next for Nico Echavarría, PGA champion in Japan

Nico Echavarría is the first Colombian to win in Japan. Since he was 13 years old he has been competing for Colombia. Photo courtesy: @PGATOUR

Nico Echavarría is one of the three privileged Colombians who have been champions on the PGA Tour. He joins the list headed by Camilo Villegas with five titles (2008, 2020, 2014 and 2023) and which also includes Juan Sebastián Muñoz with one victory (2019).

Echavarría has two (2023 and 2024), the most recent in Japan this weekend, in which his compatriot, teammate and source of inspiration had a lot to do withCamilo Villegas, whom he referred to after the victory, “has been a hero for me, his way of facing life is an example. He helped me a lot when I was going out to play on Sunday. One of his messages in Puerto Rico and this time, again, he encouraged me. When I was on my way to the club he told me that I had already won once, that I should do it again, that I already knew what to do and trust in my golf.”

The Antioquian went out onto the field and remembered those words, did the same and won the title and a prize of 1.5 million dollars. But beyond the economic, the most important thing is what comes sportingly for him.

Final leaderboard @ZOZOChamp:

1. @Nicolas_Ech -20 🏆
T2. @JustinThomas34 -19
T2. Max Greyserman -19
4. @RickieFowler -17
5. Kurt Kitayama -15

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 27, 2024

He secured his card until 2026 and will debut at the Augusta Masters in 2025, one of the tournaments he always wanted to be in. “I can’t wait to go see Augusta for the first time. I’ll try to go a few days early at some point if possible. Without a doubt, playing it is a dream come true for me,” the Colombian confessed excitedly.

Pure joy for Nico Echavarria ❤️ pic.twitter.com/Fd37NmOoua

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 27, 2024

He also secured a spot next year at The Sentry in Hawaii, the PGA ChampionShip and The Players ChampionShip. Nico is now in 65th place in the FedEx Cup.

Other Zozo ChampionShip champions:

• Collin Morikawa en 2023.
• Keegan Bradley, 2022
• Hideki Matsuyama, 2021.
• Patrick Cantlay, 2020
• Tiger Woods, 2019.

Every shot broadcast from Tiger’s 82nd win at the 2019 @ZOZOCHAMP.

Sit back, relax and enjoy 🍿 pic.twitter.com/y0h4vJzRcg

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 27, 2024

This was Nico Echavarría’s victory

With an emotional celebration, alongside his wife and a video call with his parents that brought tears to his eyes, the 30-year-old from Antioquia achieved his second victory on the PGA Tour. In 2023, he was champion at the Puerto Rico Open.

An emotional call to Mom and Dad 🥹
@Nicolas_Ech wanted to talk to his family as soon as he could following his win in Japan.
@PGATOUREsp | @ZOZOCHAMP pic.twitter.com/IfVA48NeL4

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 27, 2024

Although he led the competition from the beginning, it was not easy to stay and withstand the pressure of his rivals Justin Thomas and Max Greyserman.

The last round was complicated, he had two buggies on holes 8 and 14. But like all week, the par 3s were his, Nico made 5 birdies, three of them on those short holes. He even got complicated in the 14th, all his shots went into the rough, and with a boggie he stayed in the fight. At the 18th hole he was down by 1 stroke to Greyserman, but the confidence was always there.

Moments like this 🥹 >>>

Behind the scenes after @Nicolas_Ech‘s second TOUR win @ZOZOCHAMP. pic.twitter.com/qUJ89ciYty

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 28, 2024

“The putts were coming in, I was hitting it straighter, I was leaving it a little closer, there are several things that happen to be able to win, there is a bit of luck I would say. But when it’s your week you have to make the most of it because winning this circuit is quite complicated,” said the Antioquia native at a press conference.

Nico celebrated his second title on the PGA Tour, winning with 260 strokes, 20 under par, beating the two Americans.

2024-10-29 00:19:00
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