Austin Eckroat hits a shot on Sunday on the 6th hole at El Cardonal at Diamante.
Eckroat found his rhythm early, securing birdies on the first two holes, setting the tone for an explosive round.
Continuing his remarkable play, he notched birdies on the 4th, 5th, and 6th holes, showcasing his skill and determination.
On the 8th hole, he secured another birdie, bringing his total to a staggering eleven by the end of the day—a performance reminiscent of video-game statistics.
On Saturday, after a stunning six-under 66 in the third round of the World Wide Technology Championship, Eckroat was just one shot off the lead.
When asked how he would prepare for Sunday, his suggested method was surprising—gaming instead of traditional relaxation methods.
“Play some more video games,” he declared. “That’s how I kind of take my mind off things — you can’t think about anything else.”
His current obsession, ‘Call of Duty,’ has been a welcome distraction, a source of enjoyment away from the pressure of competitive play.
As the final group made the turn, Eckroat found himself tied for the lead, and then surged ahead dramatically. On the 344-yard, par-4 10th at El Cardonal, Eckroat drove the green, converting it into a birdie that granted him a one-shot advantage.
On the following 11th hole, he confidently dropped a 12-footer for birdie, extending his lead to two shots. The 12th hole was no different; he dropped an iron to just 5 feet, clinching his third consecutive birdie and gaining a three-shot lead.
As he continued to play flawlessly, he added two more birdies to his tally, and despite a final-hole bogey, he held on to win by one stroke with an impressive Sunday score of 63. Both Justin Lower and Carson Young finished as runner-ups, each showcasing great talent throughout the round.
The victory marks a significant milestone in Eckroat’s breakthrough season at just 25 years old, highlighted by his triumph at the Cognizant Classic in March. He has recorded eight top-25 finishes and has made 21 cuts out of 26 events—a remarkable feat.
Eckroat’s performance prompted analysts on the Golf Channel to speculate about his future, with Johnson Wagner comparing him to Scottie Scheffler, suggesting there may be a phenomenal run on the horizon for the young golfer.
The takeaway
Something special could be coming from Eckroat, as his high level of play suggests he may be on the verge of greatness.
The leaderboard breakdown
— As the final round approached, Justin Lower, Nico Echavarria, and Carson Young were tied for the lead, each at 16-under par. Eckroat, Joe Highsmith, and Max Greyserman closely trailed at 15-under.
— As the leaders turned the corner, Eckroat and Lower emerged tied at 20-under, while Greyserman and Young were at 19-under. On the front nine, Eckroat’s six birdies outshined Lower’s four.
— After driving the green on the 344-yard, par-4 10th, Eckroat gained a one-shot lead, advancing to 21-under. His competitors followed closely behind, but he quickly extended his lead.
— Following another impressive birdie on the 11th, Eckroat elevated his score to 22-under, now comfortably ahead of the pack.
— After making yet another birdie on the 12th, Eckroat’s confidence soared, allowing him to take a commanding three-shot lead at 23-under.
— Lower briefly threatened with a birdie on the 12th, but with Eckroat maintaining his composure, he kept a two-shot cushion at 23-under.
— Following a bogey from Lower on the 13th, Eckroat’s lead increased back to three strokes as he remained steady under pressure.
— His ongoing excellence continued on the 14th, where he chipped from in front of a tree to within 5 feet for yet another birdie, pushing his score to 24-under against his closest rivals.
— A tense moment arrived on the 17th when Eckroat dropped a 15-footer for birdie, solidifying his three-shot lead as the competition intensified.
— Despite a scare on the 18th with a bogey, Eckroat clinched victory after Young missed a potential eagle opportunity, finishing with a remarkable 24-under total after a nine-under 63. Young and Lower tied for second place at 23-under.
The final word
“That’s probably some of the best golf I ever played,” Eckroat reflected on the Golf Channel following his exceptional round.
Nick Piastowski
Nick Piastowski is a Senior Editor at Golf.com and Golf Magazine. In his role, he is responsible for editing, writing, and developing stories across the golf space. And when he’s not writing about ways to hit the golf ball farther and straighter, the Milwaukee native is probably playing the game, hitting the ball left, right, and short, and drinking a cold beer to wash away his score. You can reach out to him about any of these topics — his stories, his game, or his beers — at nick.piastowski@golf.com.
**Interview with Austin Eckroat: Rising Star of Golf**
**Interviewer**: Austin, congratulations on your incredible performance at El Cardonal! Eleven birdies is quite a feat—how did you feel out there on Sunday?
**Austin Eckroat**: Thank you! It was an amazing day. I felt really in tune with my game right from the first hole. Hitting birdies early definitely set a positive tone for the round. I was just focused on each shot and trying to keep the momentum going.
**Interviewer**: You mentioned earlier that you prefer playing video games, like ‘Call of Duty,’ to relax before a big round. That’s an interesting approach! How does gaming help you in preparing for important tournaments?
**Austin Eckroat**: Yeah, it might sound odd, but gaming allows me to escape the pressure of the tournament for a little bit. When I’m focused on the game, it clears my mind and helps me not overthink my golf. Plus, it’s just a lot of fun!
**Interviewer**: You were just one shot off the lead going into Sunday. How did you handle the pressure as the final round progressed, especially when you took the lead after the 10th hole?
**Austin Eckroat**: It was definitely tense, but I tried treating it like any other round. Gaining the lead after that drive on the 10th hole was an exhilarating moment. I focused on executing each shot and staying in the zone, remembering to relish the experience.
**Interviewer**: Given your fantastic season, reminiscent of some of the greats in the game, where do you see yourself heading next? What are your goals as a young golfer?
**Austin Eckroat**: I’m just taking it one step at a time. This victory is a significant milestone for me, but I want to keep building on this momentum. My goal is to keep consistently performing well, aiming for more top finishes, and hopefully get myself into a position to win more tournaments in the future.
**Interviewer**: Analysts are already comparing you to renowned players like Scottie Scheffler. How does that feel to receive such high praise at this stage in your career?
**Austin Eckroat**: It’s incredibly flattering and motivating! I admire players like Scottie, and hearing comparisons like that definitely gives me confidence. It reminds me that with hard work and dedication, I can hopefully achieve great things in the sport.
**Interviewer**: Lastly, what would you like to say to your fans who are cheering for you?
**Austin Eckroat**: Just a big thank you! Your support means everything to me. I’ll keep pushing myself to improve and hopefully deliver more exciting performances in the future. Let’s enjoy this journey together!
**Interviewer**: Thanks, Austin! We’re looking forward to following your progress on the tour. Best of luck for the rest of the season!
**Austin Eckroat**: Thank you! I appreciate it!