The Masters tournament is a dream come true for most golf enthusiasts, a chance to walk the sacred grounds of Augusta National and compete against the world’s best. However, for two-time PGA Tour champion Austin Eckroat, his Masters debut in 2024 was far from a dream. In fact, he described his performance as ’embarrassing’ and confessed he was relieved to not make the cut.
Aged just 26 at the time, Eckroat struggled in his first Masters appearance, finishing the initial two rounds seven strokes over par. While most golfers would feel disappointment at such a result, Eckroat revealed he was actually relieved, coming as a surprise to many.
Speaking candidly ahead of his Cognizant Classic defence, Eckroat shared some insight into his state of mind during the Masters. He admitted his game was not up to scratch, causing him to feel anxious about playing at Augusta. He also mentioned struggling with some golf swing issues that exacerbated his performance during the tournament.
Eckroat’s first Masters experience was a steep learning curve, with the young golfer admitting the complexities of Augusta National were overwhelming. From the yardage book to the course’s unique challenges, Eckroat conceded that experience and familiarity play a significant role in navigating the tournament successfully.
Reflecting on his past performance, Eckroat showed some optimism for the future, expressing his eagerness to take another shot at Augusta National. He acknowledged the embarrassment he felt due to his poor performance but remained hopeful of a better outing in subsequent tournaments.
Despite his disappointing Masters debut, Eckroat had a successful run in the 2024 season. Alongside his Cognizant Classic victory, he also triumphed at the World Wide Technology Championship in November. This placed him in an exclusive group of players who won multiple PGA Tour events in 2024, a list that includes the likes of Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Rory McIlroy.
While Eckroat still anticipates his first win in a marquee event, his experience of crossing the finish line in significant tournaments will undoubtedly benefit him in the years to come. Despite the ’embarrassing’ Masters debut, the young golfer appears unphased and eager to tackle future challenges, making his journey one to watch out for in the competitive world of professional golf.