PGA TOUR
Eckroat Wins Maiden PGA Tour Title in Florida. Min Woo Lee T2
Austin Eckroat won the extended Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches with a Monday finish for his first victory on the PGA Tour. The 25-year-old American, overcame a nerve-racking additional night’s sleep, a jam-packed leaderboard and a brutally difficult closing stretch of holes at PGA National to fire a final-round 4-under 67. His 17-under total was good enough for a three-shot victory in the weather affected event.
Australia’s Min Woo Lee finished in a tie for second place with South Africa’s Erik van Rooyen at 14-under. It was Lee’s best finish on the PGA Tour from his 34 starts. The entertaining 25-year-old from Perth, rocketed into contention when he followed his birdie at the 9th hole with an eagle at the 10th hole and another birdie at the 12th hole. Lee signed for a final-round 4-under 67. van Rooyen bolted up the leaderboard early on Sunday when he opened his final round with a staggering six consecutive birdies en route to covering the front nine in 7-under. He closed with an 8-under 63. Lee and van Rooyen qualify for next week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, which is a PGA Tour signature event.
Five players took a share of fourth place at 13-under. Jake Knapp, Cameron Young and KH Lee all posted a final-round 5-under 66. Shane Lowry and David Skins managed even par rounds.
The PGA TOUR remains in Florida for next week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational to be staged at Bay Hill Club & Lodge. America’s Kurt Kitayama is the defending champion.
Final Scores
1. Austin Eckroat -17
T2. Min Woo Lee -14
T2. Erik van Rooyen -14
T4. Cameron Young -13
T4. Jake Knapp -13
T4. KH Lee -13
T4. Shane Lowry -13
T4. David Skinns -13
Other Australian
MC. Aaron Baddeley
Image Credit: Ben Jared/PGA TOUR via Getty Images
