Austin Eckroat is a PGA Tour winner as soon as extra.
Eight months after successful the Cognizant Traditional at PGA Nationwide, Eckroat fired a 9-under 63 to win the World Broad Know-how Championship in Mexico. He made 11 birdies throughout his ultimate spherical and known as it “among the greatest golf [he has] ever performed.”
The previous Oklahoma State Cowboy started Sunday’s ultimate 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 visiting 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 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 beautiful photographs up the 18th and confronted a prolonged eagle putt, which might have pressured a playoff. However he missed on the low aspect, thus giving Eckroat the victory. Humorous sufficient, Decrease, taking part in alongside Younger within the ultimate 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 in the long run.
“I don’t know; it was automated on the market right now, I assume, is how you can name it,” Eckroat stated after.
“It’s loopy I solely received by one, capturing 9-under par right now from one again. Clearly all people was taking part in effectively, it was an excellent battle.”
Since Eckroat completed among the many prime 50 within the FedEx Cup standings, he is not going to 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 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 can mark a pivotal 12 months in golf. The Ryder Cup can be held at Bethpage Black on Lengthy Island, and Eckroat hopes he can play his method onto the staff. 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. staff subsequent fall.
“I’ve acquired a bit work to do to actually be on the identical stage [as Scheffler and McIlroy], however it’s fairly particular,” Eckroat stated.
“As you say, half a dozen guys received twice this season, in order that’s an important achievement.”
Certainly, successful the World Broad 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 comply with.
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By means of. You should definitely take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.
