INZAI, Chiba Prefecture ― Two-time major champion Justin Thomas eagled the final hole on Friday, October 25 to finish just two strokes back of sole leader Nico Echavarria after the second round of the ZOZO Championship.
On the par-5 18th, Thomas made the shot of the day with a 5-iron approach from 214 yards that landed four feet from the hole. The two-time PGA Championship winner then calmly tapped in for a 6-under-par 64 that left him at 10-under 130.
"I've been hitting a lot today and couldn't have walked it out there any better," Thomas said. "[From] 214 [yards] in, just took a little bit off of a 5-iron, just kind of cut it off the left center of the green."
Added Thomas, "That's what I'm trying to get on the green. I think hitting it in there four feet is a bonus, but that's the advantage of soft greens and hitting a good shot."
Thomas, a 15-time PGA Tour winner, is back at the ZOZO Championship for the first time since the inaugural tournament in 2019 when he finished in a tie for 17th.
Winless in two years on the PGA Tour, Thomas said he will be looking for more of the same on the weekend at the par-70 Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club.
"Just the same as the last two days, try to keep driving it well, have the confidence and faith in my game and just keep putting one foot in front of the other," Thomas said.
Echavarria, Moore Among ZOZO Championship Contenders
Echavarria shot his second straight 64 to lead Thomas and overnight leader Taylor Moore (67) by two strokes with a two-round total of 12-under 128.
"I've never had a lead after 36 holes," said Echavarria, a native of Colombia. "I've had it after 54, but never after 36, so it's good to be in this position."
Echevarria's lone win on the PGA Tour was in 2023 in Puerto Rico.
"There's got to be some pressure," added Echevarria. "Hopefully, a good round tomorrow can keep me in the lead. And how I said yesterday, the goal is to be close with nine holes to go."
Eric Cole (67), CT Pan (66) and Seamus Power (62) were three behind heading into Saturday.
Fowler Cards a 64 to Climb the Leaderboard
Thomas wasn't the only big name to move up the leaderboard on Friday.
Six-time PGA Tour winner Rickie Fowler fired a 6-under 64 to move into a tie for seventh with Max Greyserman four strokes off the pace.
Fowler got off to a rocket start with back-to-back birdies on his first two holes.
After a bogey on the par-7 No 17, his eighth hole of the day, he birdied the next hole and then added four more birdies after the turn.
"My driving was a lot better today," said Fowler. "I was able to hit most of the greens. This is a good result to give me a chance on the weekend."
Fowler, whose maternal grandfather is Japanese, has competed in this tournament the last four years. He came closest to winning in 2022 when he tied for second.
"Japanese culture has always been a big part of my life so to be able to come over here and see all the fans is always a lot of fun," said Fowler, a crowd favorite in Japan.
Schauffele Has a Stellar 2nd Round
After a disastrous opening-round of 73, 2024 PGA and British Open champion Xander Schauffele carded five birdies in a bogey-free round of 65 that left him 10 strokes back.
"I kind of fed off of a lot of my holes and I probably hit the ball a little bit better today," Schauffele said. "Missed some makeable putts and made some ones I shouldn't make, so, all in all, it was a pretty solid day."
Schauffele, who won the gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, celebrated his 31st birthday on Friday.
"I was serenaded on the first tee, which is nice," Schauffele said. "Everyone was very supportive along the way. Nice way to spend my 31st birthday."
Defending champion Collin Morikawa shot a 67 and pulled within eight strokes of the lead.
"I feel like I've got a good game plan out here," said Morikawa. "I am the defending champ, but that doesn't mean I'm immediately going to play better just because I won here."
Morikawa added, "It's a brand new week, it's a year later. I feel like my golf game is still in a good spot. I just haven't executed my shots. When that doesn't happen it makes golf a little tougher."
Matsuyama Far off the Pace
Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama shot his second 71 and was 14 shots off the lead.
The best result for a Japanese player was Taisei Shimizu, who shot a 67 to finish tied for ninth at 7-under 133.
This year's ZOZO Championship features a 78-man field that will compete in four rounds with no cut.
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Author: Jim Armstrong
The author is a longtime journalist who has covered sports in Japan for over 25 years. You can find his articles on SportsLook.
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