PGA Tour winner borrowed new Pro V1x balls – and then won in Japan

Nico Echavarria grew to become the primary winner on the PGA Tour with the 2025 Titleist Professional V1x and he had a fellow professional to partially thank for the victory.

The Colombian, who claimed his maiden victory on the Puerto Rico Open in 2023, was taking part in a social spherical with Tyson Alexander and, by a stroke of luck, he hadn’t introduced sufficient ammunition so he tried the brand new prototype ball – after which appreciated what he noticed.

“I used to be truly taking part in 18 holes with Tyson in Jacksonville again dwelling,” mentioned Echavarria on the Shriners the place the brand new Professional V1 and Professional V1x have been formally launched.

“It was in between Napa and Sanderson Farms, and I used to be truly low on balls. I didn’t seize balls from my home, and he had some additional they usually have been the brand new ones, and I simply tried it out.

“The (25 Professional V1x) was perhaps simply the hair quicker and one thing a contact spinnier across the greens is what I felt. It labored very effectively final week [at the Black Desert Championship] with altitude. I’ve struggled hitting my numbers in altitude and this was excellent how the numbers have been.”

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Behind the scenes after @Nicolas_Ech’s second TOUR win @ZOZOCHAMP. pic.twitter.com/qUJ89ciYty

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 28, 2024

The 30-year-old would miss the minimize on the Sanderson Farms and the Shriners however, sandwiched in between, there was an Eleventh-place end on the Black Desert in Utah and now he’s a winner of the Zozo Championship after holding off Max Greyserman and Justin Thomas.

He was over 10 photographs higher than the sector from tee to inexperienced which ranked him second within the subject at Accordia Golf Narashino Nation Membership. He additionally ranked second in birdies (24).

He added that his testing course of was all achieved on the course moderately than hitting a load of balls utilizing a launch monitor.

“One of many solely issues we have now in management is the ball and for me it’s extra taking part in and seeing it whereas I’m taking part in than on the vary as a result of after I’m hitting balls, I don’t go to the place it landed.

“I favor making an attempt them out within the course, seeing if the numbers that I felt have been the suitable ones, the place it landed on the inexperienced, the way it reacted on the inexperienced, the way it flew with the wind, what I assumed, perhaps it pitched wanting what I assumed, perhaps it pitched lengthy and then you definately regulate and see should you prefer it or not.”

Twenty-eight gamers have been taking part in the brand new balls in Japan, from a complete of 48 Titleist customers, which was greater than 5 occasions the closest competitor (9).

READ MORE: 2025 Titleist Professional V1 and Professional V1x make PGA Tour debut at Shriners Kids’s Open