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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.
Eckroat locked up spot in the top 50 in the FedExCup Fall
standings.
“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 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.
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