PHOENIX – Austin Eckroat, a four-time All-America at Oklahoma State University who competed on this year’s victorious U.S. Walker Cup team, has signed an equipment contract with PING, the company announced today. Eckroat makes his pro debut on the Korn Ferry Tour this week at the BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by Synnex Corporation.
The 22-year-old native of Edmond, Okla., played four years for the OSU Cowboys, earning two wins and 15 top 10s. He and PING Pro Viktor Hovland were teammates when OSU won its 11th NCAA team title in 2018. Because he was a top-five senior this season in the new PGA Tour University rankings, he has exempt status for the rest of the Korn Ferry Tour season and a ticket to the final stage of KFT Q-School later this year.
“We’ve known Austin since he was a standout junior player in Oklahoma and watched as he became one of the top players in the country,” said PING President John K. Solheim. “His first visit to PING came as a 13-year-old and he’s made it a point to visit us every year since. We’ve maintained a very close relationship with him over that time and we’re excited to watch his game develop as he pursues his goals as a professional golfer. He’s a tremendous talent and we’re proud he’ll be representing PING along the way.”
“I remember my first trip to PING when I was 13 to experience a custom fitting. I was so excited to be there and extremely impressed with their entire operation. I got my first set of PINGs that year and they’ve been in my bag ever since,” Eckroat said. “The company’s relationship with Oklahoma State is one of the reasons I wanted to go there. I had the privilege of playing Karsten Creek Golf Club for four years under the guidance of Coach Bratton and I know that helped make me a better player. The equipment gives me confidence to play any shot with any club. It’s custom fit and built to fit my game perfectly. I’m known for my driving and PING drivers just keep getting better and better. I can’t wait to get out there and take the next step as a professional. I’m really happy to be representing PING.”
Eckroat plays a G425 LST driver, G425 MAX 5W, G425 20-degree hybrid, Blueprint irons, prototype wedges and a Redwood D66 putter.
Terms of the agreement were not released.
For more information, contact Pete Samuels (602) 687-5487.
