Austin Eckroat and wife Sally had life-changing moment at Cognizant

PALM BEACH GARDENS, Florida — Austin Eckroat had never won a PGA Tour event entering the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches.

But he and his wife, Sally, who was home last week in Edmond, Oklahoma, meeting with contractors, made a deal: She would fly to Palm Beach County if Austin were in contention entering the weekend.

“After his Friday round he texted me, ‘Do you have a flight booked yet?’ ” Sally said.

Sally hopped on a plane, arriving in time Saturday for her husband’s back nine. Austin went from one shot out entering the weekend to tied for the lead after 54 holes, where he remained through a stormy Sunday that turned into Monday.

But with conditions much calmer, Eckroat started on No. 8 Monday and never relinquished that lead. In fact, he made it so comfortable he was able to play a stress-free 72nd hole, completing a 67 and four-day total 17-under 267 for his first professional win.

“I’m really not sure how I feel yet,” the 25-year-old former Oklahoma State All-American said after making his 50th start on the PGA Tour. “Been waiting for this moment my whole life.”

Winning on a Monday, with modest crowds, was appropriate for a man whose dad, Steve, says he’s so even-keeled and low-key that if he has a bad day on the course dinner “is not going to suck that night. He’s still pleasant.”

But, added, don’t misconstrue that for not having that passion. “He’s got a fire in him,” Steve said.

More: How much did each player make at the Cognizant Classic?

Eckroat, who shot a 65-67-68-67 and broke the Champion Course record for this event by three strokes, said he was the second most excited person “in the world” Monday — behind his dad.

Actually, Austin might have been the third most excited after watching Sally hurry to the green to give her husband a big hug and a kiss.

Austin was asked what she said.

“I couldn’t understand her,” he said. “She was still crying.”

Austin Eckroat and his wife Sally hold the trophy after winning the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches at PGA National Resort & Spa on March 4, 2024 in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.

That celebration came in front of a modest gallery surrounding the green and near-empty grandstands, the result of the first Monday finish on the PGA Tour in 13 months.

“Everything happens for a reason,” Sally said about the subdued celebration. “It was supposed to be this way. It felt very calming with less people out here. I think it was a…