A year ago, Austin Eckroat’s journey to PGA National marked a turning point in his career. His first-ever victory at the 2024 Cognizant Classic not only secured his first PGA Tour win but, also unlocked a whole new world of opportunities. That victory earned him a coveted spot in the Masters, invited him into the Tour’s signature events, and delivered a massive $1.62 million payout—along with a significant boost in his FedExCup ranking. But perhaps the most important perk of all was the two years of job security it gave him on Tour.

For Eckroat, that victory brought a sense of freedom and a change in mindset. Gone were the days of playing with the anxiety of just trying to keep his tour card. Now, he’s approaching the game with a fresh outlook—playing more freely and with less pressure. As he returns to PGA National this week to defend his Cognizant Classic title, Eckroat is eager to take his new approach and see just how far it can take him. But what will he be using to defend his title?

Austin Eckroat’s longest drives this season reached 400 yards, with a ranking of 39th. He has been able to achieve this feat with the help of the Ping G430 LST (10 degrees @8.5), which he uses with the Project X HZRDUS Smoke Green 70 6.5 shaft (tipped 1 inch). This is ideal if you generate high clubhead speed and prefer a penetrating trajectory. The 440cc LST boosts ball speed while reducing spin, thanks to the new Carbonfly Wrap and a newly optimized face with Spinsistency, delivering longer drives and a more satisfying impact feel. The price of the Ping G430 LST driver typically ranges between $500 to $550.

For the 3-Wood, he uses the Ping G430 Max (15 degrees @14.25) with the Graphite Design Tour AD DI 8 X shaft. These have an innovative face-design optimization that leads to increased flexing for a big distance gain, and a 25-gram moveable backweight position. It’s priced at only $650. For the irons, he uses the Ping Blueprint S (3), and the Ping Blueprint T (4-PW), to have a better GIR. He uses both of them with the Project X 6.5 shaft. The set comes for a whopping $1,487. 

Austin Eckroat’s companions for the greens

By now you must have guessed something from his equipment, Austin is a PING man! So, for the greens, Austin Eckroat opts for the Ping Glide Forged Pro (50-10S, 54-10S, 60-06T) wedges which he equips with the True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue Onyx X100 shaft. These give him a higher spin rate, helping him improve in his short game, priced at $200.

When the ball is stuck on the lip of the hole, Eckroat trusts nothing other than his Ping PLD DZB Custom putter. This has also helped him rank 35 on the list of putting average. A-one-of-a-kind putter and the price definitely says it, $1490. He completes his kit with the Golf Pride ZGrip Cord ($11.99) and the ever-green Titleist Pro V1 ball ($55). Do you think these will help him win the Cognizant Classic this week? Stay tuned to find out!