Austin Eckroat is a PGA Tour winner as soon as extra.
Eight months after successful the Cognizant Basic at PGA Nationwide, Eckroat fired a 9-under 63 to win the World Extensive Know-how Championship in Mexico. He made 11 birdies throughout his last spherical and known as it “among the greatest 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 a substitute, 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 appeared destined to seize the second PGA Tour victory of his profession.
But, Eckroat, who completed at 24-under par total, 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 pressured a playoff. However he missed on the low facet, 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 incredible final-round rating. And but, it didn’t show to be sufficient ultimately.
“I don’t know; it was automated on the market immediately, I assume, is how you would name it,” Eckroat mentioned after.
“It’s loopy I solely received by one, taking pictures 9-under par immediately from one again. Clearly all people was taking part in properly, it was an excellent battle.”
Since Eckroat completed among the many high 50 within the FedEx Cup standings, he won’t play in subsequent week’s Butterfield Bermuda Championship. He additionally has nothing to fret about relating to his standing and schedule for 2025. However he now has one other win below his belt.
“I feel it type 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 is able to mark a pivotal 12 months in golf. The Ryder Cup will probably be held at Bethpage Black on Lengthy Island, and Eckroat hopes he can play his means onto the workforce. He little question has the potential to take action. In any case, solely a handful of gamers received a number of instances this season, together with Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Hideki Matsuyama. So, maybe Eckroat will be part of Scheffler on the U.S. workforce subsequent fall.
“I’ve acquired a little bit work to do to essentially be on the similar degree [as Scheffler and McIlroy], however it’s fairly particular,” Eckroat mentioned.
“As you say, half a dozen guys received twice this season, in order that’s an excellent achievement.”
Certainly, successful the World Extensive Know-how Championship is an incredible accomplishment. Nevertheless, 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 comply with.
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By way of. Remember to try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.
