MAJORS MILESTONE
Austin Eckroat, an OSU golfer from Edmond, is fulfilling dreams at the U.S. Open
A us tinEc kr oath as watched the U.S. Open since childhood.
Eckroat saw his golf inspirations, particularly Tiger Woods, compete on courses from New York to California. That fu el edEc kr oat' s
aspirations to become a professional, too.
This year, when those famous golfers play on Pebble Beach's picturesque oceanside course, he can't sit back and watch them. Eckroat, who recently finished his sophomore year on the Oklahoma State men's golf t eam, i s preparing t o compete as an amateur in the U.S. Open for the first time.
He will tee off at 3:03 p.m. Thursday.
Growing up i n Edmond, Eckroat was immersed in the golf world.
“Basically, when I could start walking, I had a golf club in my hand,” Eckroat said. “I played all the other sports growing up, too, but I always kind of knew golf was what I was best at, and that's what I was gonna continue playing.”
When Eckroat watched his OSU teammate Viktor Hovland f i nish as the l ow amateur in the 2019 Masters Tournament, he had f urther motivation to polish his skills.
“Obviously, seeing him be successful has made me, in a way, a little jealous,” Eckroat said. “I want to have some success of my own, but then
he's helped me out around here. He knows the ropes a little bit better than I do.”
Eckroa tan dHov land, who will make his professional debut later this month, will represent the 2018-19 Cowboy sat the 119 th U.S. Open. Eckroat clinched his spot with a birdie last month in the Dallas sectional qualifier.
“The putt that I had to make to get in was the most nervous I've ever been in my entire life,” Eckroat said.
Eckro at re members the smile that spread across his face and the relief that washed over him when that ball fell in the cup. He had earned an opportunity to return to Pebble Beach, where the Cowboys started the 2018-19 season with a third-place finish at the Carmel Cup.
AsEc kr oat practiced Tuesday, he sported his Swinging Pete hat, and that isn' t his only reminder of OSU when he plays on t he California course. Donnie Darr, his assistant coach, will caddy for him. Darr is undergoing treatment for colorectal cancer, but he has continued coaching and made the trip to Pebble Beach to support Eckroat.
In the first round, Eckroat is paired with OSU alumni Charles Howell III and Alexander Noren. Although Eckroat is a proud Cowboy, he keeps his professional dreams close.
“Whenever I decide to turn pro and get ready for my pro career, having a successful week here would be very beneficial,” Eckroat said. “...This week could be a huge boost for my career, for sure.”