Austin Eckroat has watched the U.S. Open since childhood.
Eckroat saw his golf inspirations, particularly Tiger Woods, compete on courses from New York to California. That fueled Eckroat's aspirations to become a professional, too.
This year, when those famous golfers play on Pebble Beach’s picturesque oceanside course, he can’t sit back and watch them. Eckroat, who recently finished his sophomore year on the Oklahoma State men’s golf team, is preparing to compete as an amateur in the U.S. Open for the first time.
He will tee off at 3:03 p.m. Thursday.
Growing up in Edmond, Eckroat was immersed in the golf world.