Austin Eckroat experienced a whirlwind of emotions during his debut at the Masters last year. With the anticipation of the tournament hanging over him, he spent a fair amount of time watching the leaderboard, wondering if he’d scrape by and make it to the weekend.
Strangely enough, he genuinely hoped he wouldn’t.
Yes, you read that right. He didn’t want to extend his stay into the weekend.
Wondering why? Let’s dive in. During Tuesday’s press conference at the Cognizant Classic, Eckroat couldn’t help but share some anecdotes from that unforgettable Masters week. It was a rollercoaster; while his spirits were high, so was his anxiety, fueled by unresolved swing issues and the typical jitters a new player might feel. He also missed out on valuable practice rounds due to a packed schedule, and the blustery conditions on Friday certainly didn’t lend a hand.
Then there was the infamous yardage book.
“I don’t know if it’s some kind of initiation, but until you’re actually there, you don’t fully realize how much the yardage book leaves to be desired,” Eckroat joked. “It’s really just one of those things you have to learn by doing.”
All these factors combined left him feeling vulnerable. His Masters kicked off with a hook, landing in a double-bogey on his first hole, and unfortunately, he repeated this on the 18th. Finishing the first round two over, hitting 74, was a tough pill to swallow. The second day proved even more challenging, with him shooting three shots worse. Missing the cut, in the end, felt like a reprieve.
“I honestly felt embarrassed. Everything just felt off, and my performance really hit me hard,” he recalled. “I had such high hopes, and there I was, hoping not to play on Saturday. Watching the cut line was nerve-wracking. I thought, ‘Wow, I might just barely make it and then end up shooting an 80 on Saturday.’”
Let’s pause here. Eckroat’s candidness offers a breath of fresh air. In an industry where players often default to bland explanations like, “It just wasn’t my week,” his honesty stands out.
His openness, whether you align with his regret or not, is something to admire. It paints a picture of a golfer immersed in a sea of pros, each trying to outdo the other. Eckroat’s willingness to share his challenges lets us all glimpse the reality behind the competition.
Fast forward to this year: how’s he faring? Not without bumps, that’s for sure. His start this season has been quite uneven, with him missing four out of six cuts yet managing two top 15 finishes. “Sometimes, I feel like my game is on point, and other times, I feel like I need to rebuild from scratch. Golf is peculiar that way,” he noted. But victories do influence perspective. Winning the Cognizant last year, followed by a win at the World Wide Technology Championship, has shifted his approach significantly.
“The importance of making cuts feels less daunting now,” he expressed. “Particularly in my early days, making the cut held immense weight in securing my card for the next season. But now, taking risks seems a lot less intimidating.”
He further explained, “Back then, if I was nearing the top on Friday, I had to play cautiously for the cut. Now, though, it’s about seizing the moment. Winning is the focus, rather than just placing well. This mentality change is quite a revelation for spectators to understand.”
So as the Masters edge closer, will the cut be in his sights again? Or will there be something more?
“I’m eagerly waiting to face Augusta once more,” Eckroat said with determination, as he looks forward to another shot at taming the course.
