Austin Eckroat Bio
Austin Eckroat (born January 12, 1999) is an American professional golfer who plays on the PGA Tour. Born and raised in Edmond, Oklahoma, Eckroat developed his game in the Sooner State before becoming one of the top college players in the country at Oklahoma State University. After turning professional in 2021, he rose through the Korn Ferry Tour ranks and reached the PGA Tour, where he has already secured two career victories. Known for a balanced and composed style of play, Eckroat continues to build a reputation as one of the steady young American competitors in professional golf.
Early Life and Background
Austin Eckroat was born on January 12, 1999, in Edmond, Oklahoma, where he was also raised. Standing 6 feet 0 inches tall and weighing roughly 175 pounds, he grew up in a community that has produced several notable golfers. He graduated from Edmond North High School in 2017, completing his secondary education in the same city where he was born.
Eckroat grew up around golf in central Oklahoma and developed his swing and course management skills during his teenage years. The local junior circuits and high school competition gave him an early platform to refine his game, and by the time he finished high school, he was regarded as one of the most promising amateur prospects in the region.
Path to Professional Golf
After high school, Eckroat enrolled at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, where he competed for the Cowboys from 2017 to 2020. He became a four-time All-American during his college career, a recognition that placed him among the elite amateur players in college golf. The Cowboys won the NCAA team title in 2018, and Eckroat was a key contributor to that championship run.
In 2021, Eckroat represented the United States at the Walker Cup, one of the premier events in amateur golf. Following that summer, he decided to turn professional, transitioning from one of the most decorated amateur résumés of his class to the developmental Korn Ferry Tour. His amateur pedigree and consistent ball-striking made him an immediate prospect to watch on the pathway to the PGA Tour.
Austin Eckroat Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Eckroat turned professional in 2021 and earned limited status on the Korn Ferry Tour for the 2022 season through qualifying school. He played in just two events during the first half of the season and missed both cuts, an early sign of the adjustment required at the professional level. His third start came at the AdventHealth Championship in May, where he tied for 23rd, earning entry into the next event and beginning a strong run of form.
From that point on, Eckroat posted nine top-25 finishes in the final eleven regular-season events on the Korn Ferry Tour, highlighted by a runner-up result at the Memorial Health Championship. His 34th-place finish on the regular-season points list sent him to the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, where he earned a PGA Tour card by finishing second at the Korn Ferry Tour Championship.
PGA Tour Breakthrough (2023–2024)
Eckroat announced himself on the PGA Tour in May 2023, when he finished as runner-up at the AT&T Byron Nelson in Texas, one shot behind Jason Day. A month later, he tied the nine-hole record of 29 during the final round of the U.S. Open and tied for tenth overall, confirming his ability to compete on the biggest stages.
In March 2024, Eckroat captured his first PGA Tour title at the Cognizant Classic in Florida, winning by three shots over Erik van Rooyen and Min Woo Lee. Later that year, in November 2024, he added a second PGA Tour win at the World Wide Technology Championship, closing with a final-round 63 to finish one stroke ahead of Justin Lower and Carson Young. By December 15, 2024, he had climbed to a career-high Official World Golf Ranking of 34.
Current Form and Outlook
Eckroat remains an active member of the PGA Tour heading into the 2025 season, building on the momentum of his two 2024 victories. His best major championship result to date is a tie for tenth at the 2023 U.S. Open, while he also posted a tie for 18th at the 2024 PGA Championship. Across major championships, he has competed in the Masters Tournament, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, and The Open Championship.
Driving Style and Strengths
Eckroat is recognized for his accurate ball-striking and steady course management, qualities that helped him post consistent top-25 finishes on the Korn Ferry Tour. His iron play and composure under pressure were central to his breakthrough at the 2024 Cognizant Classic and his closing 63 at the World Wide Technology Championship.
Notable Events and Milestones
His signature moments include the 2024 Cognizant Classic victory, the 2024 World Wide Technology Championship win, a runner-up finish at the 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson, and his tie for tenth at the 2023 U.S. Open, where he tied the nine-hole scoring record of 29. Reaching a career-high world ranking of 34 in December 2024 also marked a major milestone in his young career.
Austin Eckroat Career Wins
Austin Eckroat has accumulated two professional victories on the PGA Tour, both secured during the 2024 season. His wins came at the Cognizant Classic in Florida and the World Wide Technology Championship, establishing him as a two-time PGA Tour champion in just his second full season on Tour.
PGA Tour Highlights
Eckroat’s first PGA Tour win came at the 2024 Cognizant Classic, where he won by three strokes over Erik van Rooyen and Min Woo Lee. His second victory followed at the 2024 World Wide Technology Championship, where he fired a final-round 63 to edge Justin Lower and Carson Young by one shot. Both wins highlighted his ability to close out tournaments under pressure.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his PGA Tour titles, Eckroat earned a runner-up finish at the 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson and a tie for tenth at the 2023 U.S. Open. On the Korn Ferry Tour, his runner-up result at the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Championship secured his PGA Tour card and marked the defining performance of his developmental season.
Austin Eckroat Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information about Austin Eckroat’s parents and extended family background is limited. He grew up in Edmond, Oklahoma, a community with a strong tradition of producing competitive golfers.
Personal Life
Austin Eckroat married Sally Merrill in 2022. The couple resides in Edmond, Oklahoma, the same city where he was born and raised. Eckroat continues to balance his professional golf career with his family life in Oklahoma.
2025 Season Performance
Heading into the 2025 PGA Tour season, Austin Eckroat carries the confidence of a two-time winner from the previous year. With his PGA Tour card secured through his 2024 victories, he has full status and the opportunity to compete in a full schedule of events, including the majors. His 2025 calendar includes appearances across the standard PGA Tour stops as well as the major championships.
At the 2024 Masters Tournament and 2025 Masters Tournament, Eckroat missed the cut, an area of his game he will look to address in the year ahead. He has already shown he can contend, having posted a tie for tenth at the 2023 U.S. Open and a tie for 18th at the 2024 PGA Championship, results that suggest he is capable of breaking through in a major.
With a career-high Official World Golf Ranking of 34 achieved in December 2024, Eckroat enters 2025 as one of the established young American players on Tour. Continued steady play, improved results in the majors, and another victory or two would push him further up the rankings and cement his place among the next generation of American golf stars.