Austin Eckroat wins World Wide Technology Championship for second PGA TOUR title this year

LOS CABOS, Mexico (AP) — Austin Eckroat won the World Wide Technology Championship on Sunday for his second PGA TOUR title of the year, shooting a 9-under 63 for a one-stroke victory over Justin Lower and Carson Young.

Playing in the group ahead of Lower and Young, Eckroat birdied the par-4 17th to open a three-stroke lead over Young, then finished with a bogey on the par-5 18th at Tiger Woods-designed El Cardonal at Diamante.

“I think it kind of validates the season that I had, just a great way to cap off and end the year,” Eckroat said. “It was really special to do it at an event where the title sponsor, I’m an ambassador of their company. A cool week.”

Needing an eagle to force a playoff, Young birdied the 18th for a 65.

“I hit a bunch of good iron shots, especially on the back nine,” Young said. “I shot 7 under, so I played good, I can’t be too mad about it.”

Lower closed with an eagle for a 65.

“I played well,” Lower said. “I said yesterday I had to shoot probably somewhere between 5 and 9 again just to have a chance. Shot 7 and came up one short.”

Eckroat finished at 24-under 264. The 25-year-old former Oklahoma State player won the Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches in March at PGA National for his first PGA TOUR title.

On Sunday, he didn't have a par until the seventh hole, opening with five birdies and a bogey. He added a birdie on No. 8 and birdied four of the first five holes on the back nine.

“That’s probably some of the best golf I’ve ever played, just from the start putts were going in,” Eckroat said. “I don’t know, it was automatic out there today, I guess, is how you could call it. It’s crazy I only won by one shooting 9-under par today from one back. Obviously, everybody was playing well, it was a good battle.”

Max Greyserman was fourth at 22-under after a 65. Joe Highsmith had a 68 to finish fifth at 19-under.