Austin Eckroat opens Travelers with 62 to grab early lead at TPC River Highlands
Austin Eckroat opens Travelers with 62 to grab early lead at TPC River Highlands The former Oklahoma State standout has been close to shooting low scores for months, and Thursday at TPC River Highlands, he broke through.
CROMWELL, Conn. — Austin Eckroat has been waiting all season for one round to go right. On Thursday morning at TPC River Highlands, it all finally did.
Eckroat fired an 8-under-par 62 to grab the early lead in the 2025 Travelers Championship, setting the tone on a soft, gettable layout that rewarded confident swings and clean putting. It marked his career-low score on the PGA Tour.
'I wasn't fearing the left ball today, which is huge,' said Eckroat, who came into the week having struggled with a persistent miss to that side. 'It was just a really solid day, and I felt confident, which it was nice to feel that this season. It's been a while.'
The 25-year-old former Oklahoma State standout made his first PGA Tour start here in 2021 as a sponsor exemption. On Thursday, he looked every bit the seasoned pro, carding six birdies and an eagle in a round that seemed to signal a mental and physical breakthrough.
'I've felt close all year, and that's why I kept playing,' Eckroat said. 'I felt like a week was coming and it was just all going to click.'
The fix wasn't radical. After two weeks off, some tweaks and tips from friends and family – and one small but meaningful grip change – helped him get back in control. By weakening his right hand slightly, Eckroat said he was finally able to release the club properly and stop worrying about that big miss.
'You want it to be something dramatic, but sometimes it's just one little thing,' he said, laughing. 'That's what's frustrating.'
Wyndham Clark sits two shots behind at 6 under after an early-round 64, while Davis Riley, Jason Day, Nick Taylor, Adam Hadwin, Max Greyserman and Tommy Fleetwood all posted 66s to finish the morning wave at 4 under.
With temperatures expected to climb well into the 90s by the weekend, players were mindful of the importance of recovery and hydration. But Eckroat wasn't in a rush to change routines after such a clean start.
'I'll go out and do a quick practice, hit a few shots, hit a few putts – I call it a cool-down – just to take my mind off what happened that day,' he said. 'Then hydrate. No cold plunges yet, maybe another time.'
Thursday's round held added meaning for Eckroat, who reflected on returning to the site of his first taste of professional golf.
'This is one of my favorite events of the year,' he said. 'They gave me a sponsor exemption back in 2021 and a chance to compete with the best players in the world. I'm really thankful for that.'
Four years later, he's back in Connecticut — older, wiser, and at least for one round, in full control of his game.
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