With only a one-stroke victory over his countrymen
Commemorating its 18th anniversary, the World Wide Technology (WWT) Golf Championship took place once again in the beautiful city of Cabo San Lucas. Being the oldest and most important PGA Tour event in Mexico, for the second year in a row, the tournament was held on the Tiger Woods-designed El Cardonal course at Diamante Cabo San Lucas from November 7-10.
For those of you who don’t know, Diamante Cabo San Lucas is a private planned resort oasis that embodies beauty, luxury and first-class service, located on approximately 1,500 acres of the subtropical Mexican coast. Opened in 2014, El Cardonal is Diamante's second championship course, and the first golf course designed by 82-time PGA Tour winner, Tiger Woods, influenced by the old-style courses of Southern California, where Tiger grew up playing.
This time, American golfer Austin Eckroat won the tournament for his second PGA Tour title of the year, shooting a 9-under 63, for a one-stroke victory over his countrymen, Justin Lower and Carson Young!
Playing in the group ahead of Lower and Young, Eckroat birdied the par-4 17 to open a three-stroke lead over Young, then finished with a bogey on the par-5 18.
“I think it kind of validates the season that I had; just a great way to cap off and end the year,” said Eckroat. “It was really special to do it at an event where I’m an ambassador for the title sponsor company. A cool week all-in-all.”
Needing an eagle to force a playoff, Young birdied the 18th hole 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.”
On the other hand, Lower closed with an eagle for a 65. “I played well,” said Lower. “I had to shoot probably somewhere between 5 and 9 again just to have a chance. I 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 The Palm Beaches in March of this year at PGA National for his first PGA Tour title.That result led him to finish the FedExCup playoffs in 45th place, within the top 50 that ensured his presence in the 2025 Signature Events.
On Sunday, he didn't have a par until the seventh hole, opening with five birdies and a bogey. He added a birdie on hole number eight 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 just 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.”
Interestingly enough, Eckroat was crowned here five years ago at the renowned Cabo Collegiate, so this place might be his lucky charm. Another fun fact is that very few have been two-time champions on the PGA Tour this season. So, Eckroat gets to put his name alongside the names of Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler. When interviewed at the press conference on this last fact, Austin replied, “I have work to do to really be at that level, but it's very special. As it is known, very few players have been able to win two times this season so it's a great achievement.”
During this event, the Honorary President of the Municipal System for the Development of the Family (SMDIF for its acronym in Spanish), Sol Delgado Moreno, symbolically received a $10,000-dollar donation from the “World Wide Technology Championship”, as a contribution to strengthen the programs and services of DIF Los Cabos, especially in areas of comprehensive care for girls, boys and adolescents.
Since this tournament not only aspires to promote sport but also social development, Sol Delgado expressed her gratitude to the organizers of the tournament as well as calling attention to the importance of an everlasting collaboration between public and private sectors to achieve a positive impact on the quality of life of families.
Renowned PGA Tour players were present at the delivery event, including Rafael Campos, Hale Jr. and Sy Noh, who showed their support for this beautiful cause.
The PGA Tour, a showcase of the best golfers in the world competing on the most iconic golf courses were together on a field with 132 players who competed throughout 72 holes. All four rounds were televised globally through the PGA Tour's extensive television distribution network, including Golf Channel in the United States and Golf Channel Latin America in Mexico and Latin America. Internationally, the PGA Tour coverage was available in more than 200 countries in 26 languages, through 44 conventional broadcast and digital media partners.
It can be said with no mistake, that the WWT Golf Championship has once again proven to be a testament to the enduring spirit of the game, where talent, dedication, and sportsmanship shone brightly on the greens. As the fairways echo with the cheers of fans and the clinks of clubs, this event stood as a symbol of the unwavering love for golf that unites players and enthusiasts alike. It was a remarkable showcase of skill, determination, and passion, reminding us all why golf is truly a game like no other. ,
