Nico Echavarria’s second straight 64 on Friday put the Colombian ahead by two strokes at 12-under after two rounds at the Zozo Championship in Chiba, Japan.
Echavarria carded seven birdies and a bogey to grab the 36-hole lead for the first time on the PGA Tour. His score of 128 at the Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club matched the tournament’s 36-hole record set by Tiger Woods in 2019.
“I’ve never had a lead after 36 holes,” said Echavarria, who played at the University of Arkansas.
His lone win on the PGA Tour was last year at the Puerto Rico Open.
First-round leader Taylor Moore shot a 3-under 67 on Friday and is tied for second at 10-under with Justin Thomas, who capped his bogey-free 64 with an eagle at the par-5 18th hole. Thomas is looking to break a two-year winless drought.
Ireland’s Seamus Power posted the lowest round of the week with a bogey-free 62. With his career-best round on the PGA Tour, Power moved to 9-under and a three-way tie for fourth place with Eric Cole (67 on Friday) and Taiwan’s CT Pan (66).