Austin Eckroat Secures First PGA Tour Win In Convincing Fashion

American Austin Eckroat gave the rest of the field no chance at the Cognizant Classic, claiming his first victory on the PGA Tour at -17.

Austin Eckroat didn’t waver in this final round. Postponed until Monday due to bad weather on Sunday and nightfall, the Cognizant Classic came to an end on Monday afternoon on the Champion Course at the PGA National Resort in Palm Beach.

The American showed very few signs of weakness during the week, with scores of 65, 67, 68, and 67—a very positive result, with only six bogeys over the four rounds. The former Oklahoma State University student finished with a total score of -17, three shots ahead of his main pursuers, Erik van Rooyen and Min Woo Lee.

The 25-year-old thus earned his first PGA Tour win in only his second year on the circuit. During the final round, the native of Edmond, Oklahoma recorded two birdies on his first nine holes (4 and 5) before making three more on 12, 13, and 16 with his lone bogey of the day coming on the 14th.

“It’s always been my dream to win on the PGA Tour,” Eckroat told Golf Channel. “And just to win, I haven’t won since 2019 – that was a college event. It’s been such a long time. I’m so happy.”

In second place, at -14, was South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen, who surged up the leaderboard after posting a 63 (-8) in his final round. The 34-year-old excelled on the first nine holes with 7 birdies, including 6 from hole 1 to hole 6. The former University of Minnesota student completed the day with 2 further birdies and a bogey.

Alongside him, Australian Min Woo Lee also finished runner-up in the tournament with a -4 performance in the final round. World No. 5 Minjee Lee’s brother made an eagle, 4 birdies, and a double bogey on the Florida course.

This post is originally from L’Équipe