Austin Cook, a 26-year-old rookie, is a PGA Tour winner after closing with a 67 on a windy Sunday at the RSM Classic in St. Simons Island, Georgia. Cook’s 21-under total that included a 62 in the second round was good for a four-shot cushion on runner-up J.J. Spaun.
“The only professional event I’ve won was an Adams Tour Winter Series event,” Cook was quoted as saying by Golfweek. “I’ve been close on the Web a couple of times but haven’t been able to get the job done, and to be able to do it on the biggest stage in the world, it definitely boosts my confidence. It lets me know I can play with these guys.”
Kip Henley, Cook’s caddie, knew he could play. “It’s crazy how good he is.”
As Golfweek reported, Cook’s ball striking was impeccable. He hit 48 of 56 fairways and 60 of 72 greens in regulation. He saved par 11 of 12 times and only made two bogeys. That’s a winning week.
Who is Austin Cook?
He is from Little Rock, Arkansas, and graduated from University of Arkansas in 2013 after studying Biology. He turned professional in 2014 and is a graduate of the Web.com Tour. His dream foursome includes Gary Player, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer. The first win came in his 14th start on the PGA Tour.
Cook plays with PING equipment. Here’s a look inside his bag.
Austin Cook’s Clubs
(As reported by PGATOUR.COM)
Driver: PING G400 LST (8.5 degrees) with Fujikura Speeder 661 Evoltution TX shaft
3-Wood: PING G400 Stretch (13 degrees) with Fujikura Motore Speeder VC 7.2 TX shaft
Hybrids: PING G400 (19 and 22 degrees) with Matrix Ozik Altus Tour H8 91X shafts
Irons: PING S55 (5-PW) with KBS Tour S shafts
Wedges: PING Glide 2.0 (50-12SS, 56-12SS and 60WS degrees) with True Temper Dynamic Gold Tour Issue S400 shafts
Putter: PING Sigma G Tyne
Ball: Titleist Pro V1
Neil Sagebiel
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