Austin Cook Bio
Austin Clark Cook (born March 13, 1991) is an American professional golfer who competes on the PGA Tour. A native of Little Rock, Arkansas, and a graduate of the University of Arkansas, Cook turned professional in 2014 and has built a steady career through Monday qualifiers, development tours, and breakthrough wins at the highest level. His professional journey includes a decorated amateur background, successful stints on mini-tours and the Web.com Tour, and a first PGA Tour victory at the 2017 RSM Classic.
Early Life and Background
Austin Clark Cook was born on March 13, 1991, in Little Rock, Arkansas, in the United States. He grew up in the same state and is also considered a native of Jonesboro, Arkansas, where he spent much of his formative years. Arkansas has produced a long line of accomplished golfers, and Cook was exposed to the game from a young age in a region where competitive junior and amateur golf is woven into the local sporting culture.
Cook attended the University of Arkansas, where he played collegiate golf for the Razorbacks. The university provided him with a strong platform to develop his game against top-tier amateur competition, and his academic performance matched his athletic output, earning him conference-wide academic recognition during his time in Fayetteville. His collegiate record, including 48 tournaments played and a 73.37 career stroke average, helped establish the foundation for his eventual move into the professional ranks.
Path to Professional Golf
Cook’s path to the PGA Tour began with a standout amateur career at the University of Arkansas. He was a two-time Southeastern Conference Scholar-Athlete of the Year and earned all-America honors in his sophomore year after finishing 10th individually at the 2011 NCAA Championship. In 2010, he was named to the SEC All-Freshman team, and in 2013, he was the runner-up at the NCAA Fayetteville Regional, which earned him all-central region accolades. He recorded nine top-10 finishes during his college career.
After completing his collegiate eligibility, Cook turned professional in 2014. He finished T-130 at the Web.com Tour qualifying school and did not initially earn a place on a major development tour, but he found a path through Monday qualifiers. He made his way into the FedEx St. Jude Classic through Monday qualifying in the summer of 2014, finishing tied for 13th at 5-under-par. He also played on the Adams Pro Tour, and by April 2015, his career earnings had surpassed $100,000.
Austin Cook Career
Early Career (2014–2015)
Cook’s first full season as a professional was a story of perseverance. In April 2015, he Monday-qualified for the Shell Houston Open, where a strong opening 68 and four consecutive Friday birdies put him in the final group alongside Phil Mickelson and Andrew Putnam. He entered Sunday one shot off Jordan Spieth’s lead and finished the week tied for 11th at 10-under-par, earning $135,000. The result cemented his reputation as a player who could perform on the biggest stages.
Later that summer, he Monday-qualified into the 2015 Barbasol Championship and finished T6, which earned him entry into the RBC Canadian Open, where he added a T7 finish. By accumulating non-member FedEx Cup points, Cook qualified for the 2015 Web.com Tour Finals, where he finished 51st among non-card holders, narrowly missing full status and avoiding another trip to Q School.
PGA Tour Breakthrough (2015–2017)
Cook’s transition to the PGA Tour came through the 2017 Web.com Tour season, where he earned his PGA Tour card. He wasted little time making his mark, capturing his first PGA Tour title at the 2017 RSM Classic in November 2017. The win announced his arrival as a full-time Tour player and was a defining moment of his early career.
Established Tour Player (2017–Present)
Since his first PGA Tour win in 2017, Cook has continued to compete on the PGA Tour. His career is measured by consistent Monday-qualifier appearances, sharp ball-striking, and steady results in full-field events, including top finishes in major championships, The Players Championship, and World Golf Championships. He remains an active member of the Tour in his thirties.
Driving Style and Strengths
Cook is known for a steady, composed playing style that translates well on a variety of course types. His ball-striking accuracy, calm demeanor under pressure, and ability to go low when in contention have been visible since his amateur days at Arkansas and through his Monday-qualifier experiences on the PGA Tour.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Cook’s most notable career moments are his 2017 RSM Classic victory, his T11 finish at the 2015 Shell Houston Open alongside Phil Mickelson, and his T6 result at the 2015 Barbasol Championship. His decorated amateur resume, including all-America honors and two SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards, also stands as a milestone in his development as a professional.
Austin Cook Career Wins
Austin Cook has captured at least one PGA Tour title, the 2017 RSM Classic, and has recorded numerous top finishes in PGA Tour and developmental events, including top-10 results on the Adams Pro Tour and the Web.com Tour Finals. The total number of professional wins across all tours is not fully summarized in available records, but the RSM Classic remains his most prominent victory.
PGA Tour Highlights
Cook’s PGA Tour career is highlighted by his 2017 RSM Classic win, which gave him full status on Tour. He has also posted top finishes at the Shell Houston Open (T11, 2015), the Barbasol Championship (T6, 2015), and the RBC Canadian Open (T7, 2015), establishing himself as a dependable competitor in full-field events.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his PGA Tour results, Cook has competed on the Adams Pro Tour and the Web.com Tour, and he earned all-America honors and all-central region accolades during his amateur career at the University of Arkansas. Detailed win totals on developmental circuits are not fully verifiable, but his consistent performances at every level of professional golf have supported his long Tour career.
Austin Cook Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Cook was born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, and has ties to Jonesboro, Arkansas. He attended the University of Arkansas, where he played collegiate golf. Detailed information about his parents and family lineage is not publicly documented in available records.
Personal Life
Austin Clark Cook is married to Crys Cook. The couple’s personal life remains largely private, and details about children and residence are not publicly documented. Cook is an American citizen and has spent much of his professional career based in the United States, traveling the PGA Tour schedule.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 PGA Tour season, Austin Cook continues his career as an established Tour professional following his 2017 RSM Classic victory. His 2025 campaign reflects the steady approach that has defined his career, with the goal of retaining his Tour card and contending in full-field events.
Cook’s schedule in 2025 includes select PGA Tour events, with a focus on consistent cuts made and top-25 finishes to build his FedEx Cup ranking. As a veteran of Monday qualifiers and breakthrough wins, he brings experience to every tee box, and his ball-striking accuracy remains a key strength on demanding course setups.
Looking ahead through the rest of 2025, Cook’s outlook centers on stability, with potential opportunities to challenge in signature events. His track record of producing strong results in pressure situations, dating back to his days at Arkansas and his 2015 run at the Shell Houston Open, suggests he can continue to compete at a high level.