Austin Eckroat shot 11 birdies Sunday at the World Wide Technology Championship, claiming it was the finest golf he’d ever played. It was only barely enough to win, but winning on the PGA TOUR for the second time this season is significant.
“I believe the second win establishes your ability to win on the PGA TOUR. You can’t simply say it was luck this time; I’ve done it twice. Pretty awesome.” Eckroat said.
Eckroat, who won the Cognisant Classic in The Palm Beaches in March, began Sunday 1 shot behind the leader in Los Cabos, Mexico. He went 8-under through his opening 12 holes, then closed with a 9-under 63 at El Cardonal at Diamante for a 24-under total. Justin Lower and Carson Young finished one stroke behind. Lower went 16-under over the weekend, but fell short by one.
“It was tense until the finish. And I couldn’t miss today; I was completely focused. It was difficult to win out there, so I consider myself quite fortunate that it went my way.” Eckroat said.
Eckroat won the Querencia Cabo Collegiate 5 years ago, as a sophomore at Oklahoma State. That, he stated Sunday, was his final triumph before winning at PGA National early in 2024.
His victory at El Cardonal at Diamante was made even more memorable by the fact that it took place on a golf course designed by Tiger Woods, the guy who gave Eckroat his first great golf memory. Eckroat remembers seeing Woods win the 2007 PGA Championship at Southern Hills when he was only eight years old.
“It’s pretty great to win in a venue that he developed. It’s fantastic. He’s definitely my idol.” Eckroat said.
Eckroat completed a Tiger-like run on Sunday to win the trophy.
“I remember making par on (No. 7), which could have been the first. I went to my caddie and informed him that pars were overrated. The trend remained consistent throughout the round.” Eckroat said.
Eckroat’s victory relied heavily on his putter. He started the week ranked 132nd in Strokes Gained: Putting for the season. However, he was 4th this week in Putts per Green in Regulation and appeared to be making them from everywhere. His final-round score of 63 tied his PGA TOUR career low.
“I suppose it was automated out there today.” he said.
Amazingly, this was Eckroat’s first win with a different putter in nearly 15 years.
“This is my first win since I was 13 years old with a different putter, which is really weird. I have used the same Ping putter. I try to avoid it, but I’ve always won with that putter.” Eckroat said.
Eckroat joins Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele (world Nos. 1 and 2), Rory McIlroy, Hideki Matsuyama, Nick Dunlap, and Robert MacIntyre as multi-time winners on the PGA TOUR this year.
Eckroat is considering his future steps in his profession after joining that prestigious organisation. He stated that his three main ambitions are to make the U.S. Ryder Cup team, qualify for the TOUR event, and win a major event.
Eckroat was joined by his wife Sally in Cabo, and she has become a regular on TOUR with him. Eckroat confessed that otherwise, it is a lonely lifestyle, so sharing these important occasions makes them much more memorable. With a giggle, he explained the couple had agreed that if he finished in the top ten this week, they would acquire a pergola for their new garden.
“So, I think we’ll be getting a pergola in our backyard. Sally has been here for both of my wins, as well as multiple missed cuts, so she is with me through thick and thin. I adore her and am thrilled to be able to share these memories with her.” Eckroat laughed.
And if Eckroat continues to play the best kind of golf, as he did on Sunday, there should be even more memorable moments.
