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 built a reputation as one of the top amateur players in the United States before turning professional in 2021. After steady development on the Korn Ferry Tour, he broke through with his first PGA Tour victory in 2024 and has continued to compete at the sport’s highest level.
Early Life and Background
Austin Eckroat was born on January 12, 1999, in Edmond, Oklahoma, where he grew up and developed his interest in golf. He attended Edmond North High School and graduated in 2017. The Oklahoma native spent his formative years playing junior golf in the region, an environment that produced several notable professional players.
Eckroat continued his education and athletic career at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, where he competed for the Cowboys from 2017 to 2020. During his time with the program, he earned four All-American honors, a mark that placed him among the most decorated players in college golf. The Oklahoma State team captured the NCAA team championship in 2018, with Eckroat contributing to that title run.
Following his college career, Eckroat represented the United States as a member of the 2021 Walker Cup team. His amateur résumé also featured multiple tournament victories, and he was widely regarded as one of the top amateurs in the country before deciding to turn professional.
Path to Professional Golf
Eckroat transitioned from amateur competition to the professional ranks in 2021. He earned limited status on the Korn Ferry Tour for the 2022 season through qualifying school, giving him a platform to pursue a PGA Tour card. The early part of that season was a learning experience, as he played in only two events before the middle of the year and missed both cuts.
His fortunes changed at the AdventHealth Championship in May 2022, where he tied for 23rd and secured entry into the following event. From that point forward, Eckroat posted nine top-25 finishes across his final eleven regular-season starts, including a runner-up result at the Memorial Health Championship. He finished 34th on the regular-season points list, which earned him a spot in the Korn Ferry Tour Finals.
At the Korn Ferry Tour Championship, Eckroat finished second to lock up his PGA Tour card. The progression from limited status to a full PGA Tour card within a single season marked the clearest sign yet of his readiness for the top level of professional golf.
Austin Eckroat Career
Korn Ferry Tour and Early PGA Tour Starts (2022-2023)
After earning his PGA Tour card through the 2022 Korn Ferry Tour Finals, Eckroat began competing on the main tour in 2023. He quickly demonstrated that he could contend with the world’s best players. In May 2023, he finished as runner-up at the AT&T Byron Nelson in Texas, finishing one shot behind Jason Day. That result confirmed his arrival as a serious contender on tour.
A month later, Eckroat competed in the U.S. Open, where he tied the nine-hole scoring record with a 29 during the final round. He finished the major championship tied for tenth, a performance that highlighted both his ball-striking ability and his composure under pressure in the game’s biggest events.
PGA Tour Breakthrough (2024)
In March 2024, Eckroat captured his first PGA Tour victory at the Cognizant Classic in Florida. He finished the event three shots clear of runners-up Erik van Rooyen and Min Woo Lee, a margin that reflected his control of the tournament from the middle rounds onward. The win established him as a PGA Tour champion and validated the path he had taken through the Korn Ferry Tour.
Later that year, in November 2024, Eckroat won his second PGA Tour title at the World Wide Technology Championship. He shot a final-round 63 to finish one stroke ahead of Justin Lower and Carson Young. The victory reinforced his consistency and demonstrated an ability to close out tournaments when in contention.
Driving Style and Strengths
Eckroat is recognized for his steady ball-striking and calm demeanor in pressure situations. His college background at Oklahoma State, a program known for developing fundamentally sound players, contributed to a consistent swing and disciplined course management. He has shown a willingness to attack pins when in form, as demonstrated by his closing 63 at the World Wide Technology Championship.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among the defining moments of Eckroat’s career are his two PGA Tour wins in 2024, his runner-up finish at the 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson, and his top-ten result at the 2023 U.S. Open. As an amateur, he was part of the Oklahoma State team that won the 2018 NCAA championship and represented the United States at the 2021 Walker Cup. These results collectively underscore his rapid rise through the professional ranks.
Austin Eckroat Career Wins
As of the end of 2024, Austin Eckroat had recorded two PGA Tour victories, both coming in a breakthrough 2024 season. His win total reflects steady progress from his amateur days through the Korn Ferry Tour and onto the main circuit. The following summary outlines his verified wins and key performances across tours.
PGA Tour Highlights
Eckroat’s first PGA Tour title came at the 2024 Cognizant Classic in Florida, where he won by three strokes. His second victory followed at the 2024 World Wide Technology Championship, secured by a final-round 63 and a one-stroke margin. Both wins came within the same calendar year, marking a rapid ascent from tour rookie status to a multi-winning player.
Other Wins and Performances
During his amateur career, Eckroat recorded multiple amateur victories and was a four-time All-American at Oklahoma State University. He also earned a runner-up finish on the Korn Ferry Tour at the 2022 Memorial Health Championship and posted a runner-up result at the 2023 AT&T Byron Nelson on the PGA Tour.
Austin Eckroat Family
Family Background and Personal Life
Austin Eckroat was raised in Edmond, Oklahoma, where he developed his early love for the game of golf. He married Sally Merrill, and the couple has been part of his support system as he has pursued a career in professional golf. Public details about his extended family remain limited.
Personal Life
Eckroat continues to reside in Edmond, Oklahoma, the city where he grew up. His marriage to Sally Merrill has been a steady presence throughout his transition from amateur golf to the PGA Tour. Standing at 183 centimeters tall and competing at a weight of around 79 kilograms, he maintains the physical profile typical of a modern tour player.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 PGA Tour season, Austin Eckroat carried the momentum of his two 2024 victories and full tour status. As a multiple winner on the circuit, he is expected to compete in a full schedule of events, including the majors, invitationals, and the FedExCup Playoffs. His prior top-ten finish at the 2023 U.S. Open suggests he will be a factor in major championships once again.
With his game built on consistent ball-striking and improved closing ability, Eckroat’s challenge in 2025 will be to maintain his form and convert opportunities into additional wins. He has already shown that he can win from the front and rally from behind, as his final-round 63 at the 2024 World Wide Technology Championship demonstrated.
Looking ahead, Eckroat’s combination of recent success, amateur pedigree, and tour experience positions him as one of the rising American players to watch in 2025. Continued contention in marquee events would further establish him among the next generation of PGA Tour standouts.