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 Large Expertise Championship in Mexico. He made 11 birdies throughout his ultimate spherical and referred to as it “a number of 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 section Eckroat within the slightest. As a substitute, 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 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 lower his deficit to 2 over Younger, who was within the group behind him.
Younger then performed two beautiful pictures up the 18th and confronted a prolonged eagle putt, which might have compelled a playoff. However he missed on the low facet, thus giving Eckroat the victory. Humorous sufficient, Decrease, enjoying 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 ultimately.
“I don’t know; it was automated on the market at present, I assume, is how you can name it,” Eckroat stated after.
“It’s loopy I solely received by one, capturing 9-under par at present from one again. Clearly all people was enjoying nicely, it was a very good 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 yr,” 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 yr in golf. The Ryder Cup shall be held at Bethpage Black on Lengthy Island, and Eckroat hopes he can play his manner 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 obtained somewhat work to do to essentially be on the identical stage [as Scheffler and McIlroy], nevertheless it’s fairly particular,” Eckroat stated.
“As you say, half a dozen guys received twice this season, in order that’s an incredible achievement.”
Certainly, successful the World Large Expertise 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, lots extra wins, and maybe a Ryder Cup spot, will observe.
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By way of. You should definitely take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.