Austin Cook Bio
Austin Clark Cook (born March 13, 1991) is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour. He was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, grew up in nearby Jonesboro, and attended the University of Arkansas, where he developed into one of the most consistent amateurs in the Southeastern Conference. Cook turned professional in 2014 and earned his PGA Tour card in 2017, claiming his first tour victory at the RSM Classic in November of that year.
Early Life and Background
Austin Clark Cook was born on March 13, 1991, in Little Rock, Arkansas, and was raised in the nearby community of Jonesboro. He grew up in a region with a strong golf culture, which gave him early access to courses and competitive junior events across the state. Standing 5 feet 7 inches tall and playing at around 160 pounds, Cook has relied on accuracy and course management throughout his career.
He attended the University of Arkansas, where he became a steady presence in the Razorbacks lineup. Over the course of his college career he played 48 tournaments, posting a 73.37 career stroke average and recording nine top-10 finishes. His development in Fayetteville laid the groundwork for his transition into the professional ranks.
Path to Golf
Cook emerged as one of the top amateurs in the SEC during his time at Arkansas. In 2010, his freshman season, he was named to the SEC All-Freshman team, signaling his potential as a college competitor. The following year he earned All-America honors after finishing 10th individually at the 2011 NCAA Championship, and he was twice recognized as the SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year.
In 2013, Cook finished as runner-up at the NCAA Fayetteville Regional, earning all-central region accolades and cementing his reputation as a polished amateur. Those results convinced him he was ready for the next step, and he turned professional in 2014, beginning his climb through the lower professional tours before reaching the PGA Tour.
Austin Cook Career
Early Career (2014-2016)
Cook turned professional in 2014 and began his career grinding through Monday qualifiers and mini-tour events. He finished tied for 130th at the Web.com Tour qualifying school and played on the Adams Pro Tour, gradually building the experience and earnings he needed to compete at a higher level. By April 1, 2015, his career earnings had surpassed $100,000.
His breakthrough moments came through Monday qualifiers. In the summer of 2014, he Monday-qualified into the FedEx St. Jude Classic and finished tied for 13th at 5-under-par. In April 2015, he Monday-qualified into the Shell Houston Open, where he played in the final group alongside Phil Mickelson and eventually finished tied for 11th, earning $135,000. He followed that with a tied-for-sixth finish at the 2015 Barbasol Championship, which earned him a spot in the RBC Canadian Open, where he placed tied for seventh. Cook earned enough non-member FedEx Cup points to qualify for the 2015 Web.com Tour Finals, finishing 51st among players who had not yet earned their tour cards.
PGA Tour Breakthrough (2017-2018)
Cook earned his PGA Tour card during the 2017 Web.com Tour season, capping years of qualifying efforts with a full-status breakthrough. In November 2017, he captured his first PGA Tour title at the RSM Classic, the victory that announced him as a PGA Tour winner. The win pushed him into the top 100 of the Official World Golf Ranking, and on July 22, 2018, he reached his career-high ranking of 96.
His 2018 major championship appearances reflected both promise and the learning curve of a young tour player. At the Masters Tournament he missed the cut, at the PGA Championship he finished tied for 50th, and at The Open Championship he placed tied for 28th. He did not play in the U.S. Open that season. Those results showed he could compete on major stages while underscoring the consistency he would need to remain on tour.
PGA Tour Era (2018-Present)
Following his RSM Classic victory, Cook has continued to compete on the PGA Tour, working to maintain his playing status. He has been a regular participant in full-field events and has continued to chase additional tour wins beyond his 2017 breakthrough. His best major championship result remains the tied for 28th at the 2018 Open Championship.
Notable Events and Milestones
The 2017 RSM Classic stands as the defining moment of Austin Clark Cook’s career, delivering his lone PGA Tour victory and the status that followed. Reaching a career-high Official World Golf Ranking of 96 in July 2018 confirmed the impact of that breakthrough. His amateur milestones, including All-America honors in 2011 and SEC Scholar-Athlete recognition, remain the foundation of his professional story.
Austin Cook Career Wins
Austin Clark Cook has recorded one professional victory on the PGA Tour, the 2017 RSM Classic. He has yet to add a second tour title, and his career win total on the PGA Tour remains at one.
PGA Tour Highlights
Cook’s lone PGA Tour win came at the 2017 RSM Classic in November 2017, the breakthrough event that secured his PGA Tour card for the following season. It remains his most recent and only tour victory, and he has yet to record a PGA Tour playoff win, holding a 0-1 playoff record.
Austin Cook Family
Personal Life
Austin Clark Cook is married to Crys Cook, his spouse. Beyond that public detail, the couple has kept most of their personal life out of the spotlight as Cook has focused on his career on the PGA Tour.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 PGA Tour season represents another opportunity for Austin Clark Cook to build on his 2017 RSM Classic breakthrough and pursue a second tour title. As a veteran of more than a decade on professional circuits, he continues to draw on the accuracy and patience that have defined his career.
Cook’s priority each season is retaining full PGA Tour status and contending in select events where his ball-striking gives him an edge. With his career-high Official World Golf Ranking of 96 now several seasons in the past, he is working to push back into the top tier of the ranking list and qualify for invitational fields.
Looking ahead, the 2025 season offers a chance to add another signature finish to his resume, whether through a Monday-qualifier run, a strong playoff push, or a return to the winner’s circle. His track record of grinding through qualifiers and posting top finishes suggests he remains a steady presence capable of surprising the field when his game is sharp.
