Nico Echavarria remained ahead in Saturday's penultimate round at the Zozo Championship with a two-shot lead, with former world No. 1 Justin Thomas leading the chasing pack at the Narashino Country Club in Chiba Prefecture.

Echavarria hit five birdies but had bogeys on the fourth and 11th, before holding his nerve to sink an eagle putt from two feet out on the 18th. The Colombian, who shot a five-under 65, is 17 under par overall.

"I mean, that's the way you want to finish a round," Echavarria said.