Austin Eckroat is a PGA Tour winner as soon as extra.
Eight months after profitable the Cognizant Traditional at PGA Nationwide, Eckroat fired a 9-under 63 to win the World Huge Know-how Championship in Mexico. He made 11 birdies throughout his last spherical and referred to as it “a few of the finest golf [he has] ever performed.”
The previous Oklahoma State Cowboy started Sunday’s last spherical trailing Justin Decrease, Nico Echavarria, and Carson Younger by a stroke. However that small deficit did part Eckroat within the slightest. As an alternative, he made a barrage of birdies, 9 of which came to visit his first 12 holes. When he stood on the thirteenth tee, he held a three-shot lead and seemed destined to seize the second PGA Tour victory of his profession.
But, Eckroat, who completed at 24-under par general, needed to sweat considerably over the ultimate minutes. He made a bogey on the par-5 18th, which reduce his deficit to 2 over Younger, who was within the group behind him.
Younger then performed two attractive pictures up the 18th and confronted a prolonged eagle putt, which might have compelled a playoff. However he missed on the low aspect, thus giving Eckroat the victory. Humorous sufficient, Decrease, taking part in alongside Younger within the last pairing, made an eagle three on the ultimate gap to complete in a tie for second, one stroke again. Each Younger and Decrease posted 7-under 65s, an amazing final-round rating. And but, it didn’t show to be sufficient ultimately.
“I don’t know; it was automated on the market as we speak, I assume, is how you possibly can name it,” Eckroat mentioned after.
“It’s loopy I solely gained by one, capturing 9-under par as we speak from one again. Clearly everyone was taking part in nicely, it was a great battle.”
Since Eckroat completed among the many prime 50 within the FedEx Cup standings, he won’t play in subsequent week’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship. He additionally has nothing to fret about concerning his standing and schedule for 2025. However he now has one other win beneath his belt.
“I believe it form of validates the season that I had, simply a good way to cap off and finish the 12 months,” Eckroat added.
“Yeah, it was actually particular to do it at an occasion the place the title sponsors, I’m an envoy of their firm. A cool week.”
Now, he has his sights set on 2025, which can mark a pivotal 12 months in golf. The Ryder Cup might be held at Bethpage Black on Lengthy Island, and Eckroat hopes he can play his method onto the workforce. He little question has the potential to take action. In spite of everything, solely a handful of gamers gained a number of instances this season, together with Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Hideki Matsuyama. So, maybe Eckroat will be a part of Scheffler on the U.S. workforce subsequent fall.
“I’ve obtained somewhat work to do to essentially be on the identical degree [as Scheffler and McIlroy], however it’s fairly particular,” Eckroat mentioned.
“As you say, half a dozen guys gained twice this season, in order that’s an important achievement.”
Certainly, profitable the World Huge Know-how Championship is an amazing accomplishment. Nonetheless, loads of work for Eckroat in 2025 stays. And but, if he can proceed to play like he did on Sunday, loads extra wins, and maybe a Ryder Cup spot, will observe.
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By. You’ll want to try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.
