The Lone Ranger

And then there was one.

Just two years removed from one of the most prolific teams college golf has seen, Oklahoma State's Austin Eckroat is the lone Cowboy on campus from that star-studded starting five.

With Matthew Wolff and Viktor Hovland having taken the PGA Tour by storm this past summer, Kristoffer Ventura winning twice on the Korn Ferry Tour in 2019 to earn his Tour card and Zach Bauchou in hot pursuit of Tour life as well, Eckroat has been thrust to the forefront in Stillwater.

While the situation could prove uncomfortable for some, Eckroat made the next step in his progression after finding himself in unfamiliar surroundings this summer. In addition to competing for the U.S. Palmer Cup squad, he qualified for the U.S. Open at historic Pebble Beach Golf Links to become the fourth member of that vaunted OSU lineup to make a professional start as an amateur.

"It is a totally different environment, a little uncomfortable. The first tee shot was completely different, I was playing a major championship. I wasn't so much nervous as I was uncomfortable," Eckroat said.

Despite the disappointment in not making the weekend, competing in a major championship presented Eckroat with a measuring stick for himself against some of golf's brightest stars.

"I got to play with Gary Woodland on Monday and then on Tuesday I played a practice round with Rory (McIlroy) and Hovy. On Wednesday, I played with Hovy, Dustin Johnson and Rickie. That was a lot of fun," Eckroat said.

Along with invaluable experience, Eckroat returned to Stillwater encouraged with how he stacked up against the cream of the crop.

"I didn't play well and even with not playing well I had a chance to make the cut," Eckroat said. "I learned a lot and those experiences are really good for when you do decide to turn pro. It lets you know what you need to do to get to the next step."

In the meantime, Eckroat will continue representing the school and program for which he has been a lifelong supporter. With a father who grew up a die-hard fan and several family members having attended OSU, the Edmond, Okla., native was born with orange in his veins.

"We came to games before I could remember and have had season tickets through my entire childhood until now. We still have the same tickets," Eckroat explained. "I came to the national championship out here, I came to the regionals that were hosted here and I went to baseball games growing up and basketball games my whole life. I am pretty much as die-hard an OSU fan as it gets."

"It worked out really well for me that they were good at golf too."

Fortunately for OSU, Eckroat was skilled at the game and equally fond of the Cowboys' home track, where he made history for Edmond North High School. As a freshman for the Huskies, he became the first freshman in state history to win the Class 6A individual title, doing so at Karsten Creek.

Fast forward to his freshman campaign and the NCAA Championship in Stillwater. Once again Eckroat delivered on the Tom Fazio design, posting a 3-0 mark in match play while helping the Cowboys secure their 11th national title.

Now a junior, Eckroat has been charged with the task of leading a young, inexperienced Cowboy squad, whom many have likely written off.

"These guys are talented and they are good players. They have some growing up to do, but hopefully I can help them out. I think we are going to be a lot better than people think we are going to be. I really do," Eckroat said.

In his newfound role as elder statesman, Eckroat, a third-team All-American a year ago, knows he needs to lead from the front in order for the Cowboys to be successful — a role he fully embraces.

"The last two years, I didn't have to play my best for us to win. This year, for a while at least, I feel like for us to win as a team or be in contention I am going to have to play my best," Eckroat said. "For me, it is good as a player and it is a different role."

Adding to Eckroat's confidence and development was his abiility to go toe-to-toe on a daily basis with his former roommate in Wolff and current roommate in Hovland over the past two years.

After witnessing Wolff setting the golf world on its ear with his victory this summer at the PGA Tour's 3M Open and Hovland also contending weekly against the world's best, Eckroat is motivated to eventually reunite with his college teammates.

"I was competitive with them, but they were a step higher than me at that time. I know I can get to that step. It shows that those guys were really good and it has been great to watch them," Eckroat said.

"Living with Matt last year, I experienced the process of turning pro through him and everything that goes on. I learned a lot from that and now living with Viktor I will learn a lot. Their experiences will help my transition down the road."

Before he heads down the path to professional golf, there is work to be done in Stillwater as Eckroat looks to add to the legacy displayed in the hallways of Karsten Creek. A legacy he envisioned being a part of since childhood.

"Every time somebody walks through the hallways, I am on the Big 12 Championship wall, the national championship wall and have plaques for All-America status," Eckroat said.

"It is cool that will always be displayed here because I remember walking through these hallways looking at all the trophies and there will be other kids doing the same thing I did."

Oklahoma State University Athletics

Players Mentioned

Zach Bauchou

Austin Eckroat

Viktor Hovland

Kristoffer Ventura

Matthew Wolff

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