Austin Eckroat reflects on his bogey-free 8-under opening round at the 2025 John Deere Classic. He discusses how two early eagles gave him momentum, how he manages emotions after big shots, and what mindset he takes into low-scoring weeks. Eckroat also opens up about FedExCup pressure, missing the majors, and whether he prefers being chased or chasing the lead.
Austin, great opening round. Uh, clean card. What if you can think about it? What would what was working really well for you today?
Yeah. Um, it was nice to have a great round. Uh, it’s been two in the last, you know, three weeks where I’ve really got things going and, um, it’s just great to have a little confidence on the golf course. So, that’s the big thing for the most part is just confidence level is high. But the, um, the ball striking was great today. Um, hold one out, you know, hit some close and, uh, was solid over the putter. I didn’t make a whole whole lot of outside putts, but you know, the game was good and it’s just fun to be in that position.
How did that start kind of kickstarts you? I mean, you do Eagle two and then you haul out for on five for you on your five under all of a sudden. How did that get get you going?
Yeah, I mean that can do one or two things that can get you, you know, thinking too far ahead, but luckily I I didn’t get too far ahead of myself and um you know, I knew the game was good going into the week. You know, I felt confident, but then to actually go out and you know, be 300 through two is a is a is a huge boost. you know, you know, it’s kind of gets you ahead of the field early, which is great.
What was the reaction that shot on five?
Yeah, it was a little too early to go, you know, nuts, but it was still uh,
you know, threw my hands up in the air, had fun, but, you know, it was if it was a late on Sunday, you know, probably been more of a reaction for sure.
Doug similar because he had a hold out as well. When you’re trying to get just going and you want to keep that even ke, how tough is that to keep yourself at a level pace when you’re playing so well so quickly? It kind of on the hole out, it kind of helps whenever you guys you have a time to sit down and and watch the other guys finish the hole and kind of move on past it. But, uh, yeah, I’ve never made a hole in one on the PJ tour. I imagine that’s a hard one to move on from. But, uh, yeah, I just focus on your breathing and, you know, just relax yourself. So,
uh, where you seem to where your according to shot link where your drive was positioned, um, a lot of shots get blocked on that side. Were you blocked? What did you have on five?
On five. No, I was past the trees. I had 139 yards down to 136. So that wide open shot just Yeah, it was in a good spot for sure.
Good number.
Oh yeah, perfect full swing gap. Yeah,
you you know you have to go low here pretty much every day. How how do you turn this round into another into a solid round tomorrow because it’s very easy to if you have take your foot off the gas at all, you could all of a sudden go from where you are to, you know, 10 strike post round.
Yeah. I mean, yeah, 800 is a great golf great score, but you know, it’s not like I ran away from the field at all. It’s just kind of, you know, when the conditions are like they were this morning, that’s what you have to do. Um, so yeah, just going to try to do more of the same, but, you know, I’m definitely not in a in a safe position to where I’m going to be automatically in contention on on the weekend. I got to go play some good golf and um yeah, that’s main focus.
This is kind of the the final stretch of the season. Uh you need FedEx Cup points. What is that in the back of your mind? Are you thinking about that or you just trying to play golf?
Yeah, I mean I’m just trying to play golf. You know, I want to make the playoffs obviously. Um, you know, it’s I’d say it’s easier in my position with having a job next season, you know, already locked up to not focus on it too much. But, uh, you know, it just sucks. I’m not in the majors right now. And, you know, you know, you just want to play good and be competing. So, I think that’s more of the side of it is, uh, you know, I’m missing out on some really cool opportunities. But, uh, yeah, that’s just got to keep your head down and keep keep making birdies. It’s one round, so it may be a tough question to answer on a Thursday, but do you do you like being chased or do you like being the hunter kind of what’s your mentality as a when you’re on the golf course? It’s u more under par is always better, I would say. But I there is a mentality switch for whenever you’re chasing somebody. Um I’ve been in both situations, you know, with the two wins I had last year. I was ahead in Florida and I was behind in Mexico. And you know, I’d say I was probably more confident on the golf course in Mexico just because I had to go, you know, attack. But then um you know I think both have their perks for sure.
Thanks a lot.
Thanks.
