WATCH: Japan's Kensei Hirata with a ‘ridiculous par’; shoots from the trees to the green at Zozo Championship Round 2
Japan's Kensei Hirata made a great rescue during the second round of the Zozo Championship. He shot from the trees on the final hole of the day to save par.
On Friday, October 25, Hirata carded a 4-under 66 to reach an aggregate of 5-under after 36 holes at Accordia Golf Narashino Country Club. During the round, he had six birdies and two bogeys, finishing tied for 16th at the end of the day.
On the par-5 18th hole, Hirata's second approach shot landed among the trees. The trees around him were so large that it looked a little difficult for the golfer. However, he precisely aimed his shot toward the right side of the green. From there, he needed just one putt attempt to make par.
The 23-year-old Japanese golfer has won four times on the Japanese Tour this season and is leading the money list. However, this is his first start on the PGA Tour since missing the cut at the Sony Open in Hawaii earlier this year.
Kensei Hirata has made just four starts on the PGA Tour and has made only one cut, which was a T6 finish at Narashino Country Club last year.
When will Kensei Hirata tee off in the third round of the Zozo Championship?
Kensei Hirata is grouped with Ryosuke Kinoshita and Nick Taylor for the third round of the 2024 Zozo Championship. The trio will tee off on Saturday, October 26, from the first tee at 9:51 am local time.
Play on Day 3 at Narashino Country Club will begin at 9:29 am local time, with Zac Blair, Nate Lashley, and K.H. Lee teeing off from the first hole. Simultaneously, Yuto Katsuragawa, Mark Hubbard and Sahith Theegala will tee off from the 10th hole.
Following the two rounds of the 2024 Zozo Championship, Nico Echavarria holds a two-shot lead over Taylor Moore and Justin Thomas. The Colombian golfer shot back-to-back 64s to reach an aggregate of 12-under after 36 holes. Moore began the week with a 63 but slipped to second after a second-round 67. Thomas, who is looking for his first win in two years, carded a 64 on Day 2.
Eric Cole, Seamus Power and CT Pan are tied for fourth at 9-under. Cole slipped two spots after shooting 67 on Friday, while Power jumped 31 spots after firing an 8-under 62. Pan made just a one-spot surge after a second-day 66.