Monday, October 28th, 2024 Edition
Justin Thomas comes tantalizingly close to first victory in 29 months, but it’s Nico Echavarria who walks away with Zozo win
– by Evin Priest / Golf Digest
Per Evin: “In 2014, Colombia’s Nico Echavarria made his first trip to Japan to play that year’s World Amateur Team Championship in Karuizawa. He was exposed to some serious talent—a U.S. team featuring Bryson DeChambeau, Beau Hossler and Denny McCarthy won the Eisenhower Trophy while Jon Rahm shot the lowest individual score. Colombia finished 21st among 67 countries…”
B&B POV: Zozo Championship victor Nico Echavarria is nearing the end of his 2nd season on the PGA TOUR. Year 1, victory in Puerto Rico. Year 2, victory in Japan. Year 3, he gets to tee it up in the Masters and has secured his tour card through the 2026 season. This professional late bloomer is nearing full blossom, and he’ll get to see what full blossom looks like in Augusta come April ’25. Playing with— and holding off—JT will surely amplify the confidence he’s taking away from his Zozo victory.
PGA Tour Star Tom Kim Breaks Locker Room Door After Playoff Loss in South Korea
– by Matt Vincenzi / SI
Per Matt: “PGA Tour star Tom Kim may face disciplinary action from the Korea Professional Golfers’ Association after he broke a locker room door out of frustration following his playoff loss at the DP World Tour’s Genesis Championship on Sunday, according to the JoongAng Daily in South Korea…”
B&B POV: This is either a click-bait story or Tom Kim needs to take a minute and calm down from the close calls he’s endured over the past month on the course. He’s a great player and very likable. But like the rest of us, he’s been known to lose his temper. Recently he damaged a green (slightly) after missing a big putt in the FedEx St. Jude. He “over-celebrated” a make or two against Scottie & Co. at the Presidents Cup. And yesterday, his locker door just happened to come unhinged while he became unhinged after losing in a playoff in the DP World Tour Genesis Championship. Hmmmm…
PAYDAY! 2024 Zozo Championship Prize Money Payouts
– by Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys
Per Thomas: Nico Echavarria just bagged his second PGA Tour win — and made it one to remember!
The 30-year-old Colombian birdied the 72nd hole to clinch the 2024 Zozo Championship, squeezing past Justin Thomas and Max Greyserman by a single shot at Accordia Golf Narashino C.C. Echavarria strutted into Sunday with a two-shot lead (thanks to an eagle finale on Saturday), then held off the future hall-of-famer and recent king of the runner-ups for win No. 2.
He didn’t just win; he set a tournament scoring record, finishing at a blistering 20 under, besting the Big Cat’s record. His reward? A cool $1.53 million. JT and Greyserman, meanwhile, split second place, each pocketing $748,000.
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WITB: Winner’s Bag: Nico Echavarria, 2024 Zozo Championship
– by Thomas Hamden / Balls & Bogeys
Per Thomas: 2024 Zozo Championship winner Nico Echavarria has a one-of-a-kind gear set up. Finally, we get to breakdown something interesting.
Let’s start with the fact that he’s a PXG tour ambassador. Infrequently does a PXG man (or LPGA woman) come out on top and lift the big trophy on 18 on Sundays. They’re more apt to make a cut on the number and then make an impish run on the weekend. (Side note: Two of our faves are PXG players – Dawg Joel Dahmen and “The New Easy” Jake Knapp.)
Why may you ask do we find his set up to be interesting? Let’s just start with the fact that he carries two six-irons. Intriguing indeed…
Shop Nico’s Gear
DRIVER: Ping G430 LST – ON SALE (10.5 degrees), with Mitsubishi Diamana BB 73 TX shaft
FAIRWAY WOODS: PXG 0311 Black Ops (15 degrees), with Project X HZRDUS Red RDX 70 TX shaft, PXG 0311 XF GEN5 (19 degrees). with Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green 80 TX shaft
IRONS: Srixon ZX5 Mk II (4, 5), Srixon ZX7 Mk II (6), PXG 0317 CB (6-PW), with Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 125 shafts
WEDGES: PXG 0311 Sugar Daddy III (50 degrees), with Nippon N.S. Pro Modus3 125 shaft, (54, 60 degrees), with True Temper Dynamic Golf Tour Issue S400 shafts
PUTTER: Odyssey Tri-Hot 5K #7
BALL: Titleist Pro V1x
Check out The most popular equipment on the PGA Tour
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10 Courses that Resemble Augusta National
– by Joe Passov / Links Magazine
Per Joe: “Dreaming of dogwoods and azaleas, but find that a tee time at Augusta National is out of reach? There’s a fistful of courses in the U.S. that embody many, though certainly not all, of the virtues of Augusta National. Some layouts approach the ambience, others the conditioning and design, and still others the floral displays.
Here are the top 10 U.S. courses that best replicate or approximate the Augusta National experience…”
B&B POV: We’ve played four on the list: Indian Wells, Sage Valley, Aviara and Muirfield. Of the four, the biggest reach is Aviara which looks nothing like Augusta. The resort course is far narrower, and never in top-shelf shape. The closest: Sage Valley Golf Club located 25 minutes across the state line from Augusta in South Carolina. The course is immaculate. Walking/caddie-only. The property features 16 cottages. Terrific layout. And throughout the course, Azaleas bloom just like they do at ANGC.
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‘Justin Thomas Shares Tip for Hitting Rippers with His Driver’
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