INZAI CITY, Japan — Nico Echavarria shot a 6-under 64 on Friday — matching his 64 on Thursday — to take a two-shot lead over Taylor Moore and Justin Thomas after the second round of the Zozo Championship in Japan.
Thomas shot 64 and Moore carded 67 with three others just three shots off the lead including Séamus Power, who had the low round of the day 62 at Narashino Country Club.
Thomas has won two PGA Championships but is winless in two years on the PGA Tour.
Eric Cole (67) and CT Pan (66) were also three shots behind heading into Saturday.
“I’ve never led after 36 holes,” said Echavarria, a Colombian who played at the University of Arkansas. His only PGA win was last year in Puerto Rico.
He had a two-round total of 12-under 128.
“I’ve had it after 54, but I’ve never been after 36, so it’s good to be in this position. There should be pressure,” he added. “Hopefully a good round tomorrow can keep me in the lead or in the lead. And like I said yesterday — the goal is to be close with nine holes to go.”
Rickie Fowler, a crowd favorite in Japan because of his connection to the country, shot a 64 to go with an opening 68 and was four shots into the weekend. Max Greyserman was also behind with a 68.
“It would be nice to win here,” said Fowler, whose mother has Japanese roots. “It’s been close for the past few years.”
Fowler is slated for a second term in 2022
Fowler described his roots as “very far from Japan, but I’m sure I have relatives here, but I don’t know anyone. Japanese culture has always been a big part of my life growing up. I’ve always loved being here.”
Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama shot his second round of 71 and was 14 shots off the lead.
Defending champion Collin Morikawa shot a 67 and was eight shots back, while Xander Schauffele — the British Open and PGA winner this season — shot a 65 and was 10 back after a 73 on Thursday.
“I feel like I have a good game plan here,” said Morikawa, another player with ties to Japan. “I have to shoot better.”
“I am the defending champion, but that doesn’t mean I will play better immediately because I won here,” he added. “It’s a brand new week, it’s been a year. I feel like my golf is still in a good place. I haven’t hit my shots. If that doesn’t happen, it makes golf a little bit stronger.”
Schauffele would have turned 31 on Friday and said he was happy before his shooting. He also has ties to Japan. His mother grew up in Japan and his grandparents lived in the Tokyo area.
“What a great way to spend my 31st birthday,” he said.
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