Ireland’s Seamus Power delivered an impressive performance at the PGA Tour’s Zozo Championship in Japan, registering the day’s best round with a flawless 62, featuring eight birdies. This remarkable score propelled him to a tie for fourth place at nine under, just three strokes behind the halfway leader, Nico Echavarria.
Echavarria also shone on the course, combining seven birdies and one bogey for a consecutive round of 64, putting him two shots ahead of the competition. He expressed satisfaction with his position, stating he feels confident and hopes to maintain his excellent play.
Justin Thomas and first-round leader Taylor Moore are now tied for second, thanks to a timely eagle on the final hole. Meanwhile, Rickie Fowler made a significant move to tie for seventh with a six-under 64, matching Echavarria’s score. Defending champion Collin Morikawa found himself in tied 22nd place despite shooting a second-round 67.
World No. 2 Xander Schauffele celebrated his 31st birthday by improving from an opening round of 73 to a five-under 65, but remains ten strokes off the lead. Japanese star Hideki Matsuyama struggled, landing in tied 65th after achieving back-to-back rounds of 71.
Power’s ascent on the leaderboard can be attributed to his steady start, making crucial par saves on his opening three holes before igniting his birdie streak. After sinking a 15-foot putt on the fourth hole and chipping in on the fifth, his momentum picked up as he turned in 30. He finished the round with another birdie on the par-five last hole, punctuating a strong display.
“Obviously, when you shoot 62, most things go your way,” Power remarked. He acknowledged his earlier struggles but noted a marked improvement in his putting today, contributing to his successful round.
Stay tuned for ongoing coverage of the Zozo Championship as the tournament unfolds.
