COGNIZANT CLASSIC

March 2, 2024

Austin Eckroat

PGA National Champion Course

Quick Quotes

Q. Back up at the top of the leaderboard, put yourself tied for the lead going into the final round. Assess how the day went for you.

AUSTIN ECKROAT: It was solid. Really stress-free for the most part. Hit a lot of fairways, a lot of greens. Maybe not statistically. I think I putted a lot from the fringe. But kept it simple for the most part. Didn't have to stress over too many par putts. It's always great when you have rounds like that.

Q. Are there specific tournaments of you in contention, either TOUR or none, that you reflect on when you're in these moments?

AUSTIN ECKROAT: Yeah, in this moment in particular, probably the Byron Nelson just because it was such a similar situation where I was tied with two other guys going into the last round. Basically all the wins I've had in the past, I'll draw off all that stuff for you.

Q. You were right in the thick of it at Byron Nelson even almost until the last hole. Is there something you learned about yourself that week that you've taken forward?

AUSTIN ECKROAT: Yeah, that week I really played well on Sunday. I shot 6-under on Sunday and Jason Day shot 9 and beat me by one. I'm really happy with how I handled the situation, and I think it gives me confidence going into tomorrow.

Q. PGA National is no joke; is this a course that you could see a lead evaporate pretty quickly? How do you game plan for it?

AUSTIN ECKROAT: Yeah, there's mistakes on every hole out there. It's just a hard golf course. If you're keeping it in the fairway, it's really not too difficult until you get to the -- it's obviously still difficult, but the big numbers you're avoiding. But yeah, can definitely go away quickly here.

Q. How about on 18, getting a birdie there?

AUSTIN ECKROAT: Yeah, it was a great way to finish. I saw that the other two guys made birdie, and it's just a different mindset when you're going into the next day if you're one shot back versus if you're tied with the guys. It feels different. Happy about it.

Q. Your experience at the U.S. Open last year, can you take confidence from that?

AUSTIN ECKROAT: Yeah, that was an awesome round at the U.S. Open last year, and going out and shooting 29 was pretty cool. Hopefully I do that tomorrow. I'm sure it's going to be a battle until the end, and I'm looking forward to it.

Q. Do you think much about the Swing 5, Next 10 things, trying to get in those Signature Events?

AUSTIN ECKROAT: Yeah, I'm definitely aware of the situation with Swing 5 and stuff like that. But as of now, I don't have anything booked for next week. I'll happily pay extra for late fees on hotel rooms and stuff like that if I get into them. Definitely it's in the back of my mind, but the main focus tomorrow is definitely winning the golf tournament.

Q. Did you play any AJGA events out here?

AUSTIN ECKROAT: I played I think it was the Polo then and it's the Rolex now, the AJGA, whatever the series that they have, those invitationals. Either played it once or twice but never too much success.