Eckroat matches U.S. Open record with 6-under 29 on opening stretch

Austin Eckroat joined the history books Sunday by matching the U.S. Open record with a 6-under 29 on the opening nine at Los Angeles Country Club.

The 24-year-old's achievement comes a day after Tom Kim accomplished the feat on the same stretch of holes at the North course. That number has now been hit six times in the 123-year history of the event.

Eckroat's approach game worked early Sunday, as he sunk four birdies under 10 feet over his first six holes. He saved his putter for a magical moment at the par-5 eighth, pouring in a 25-footer for eagle to hit 6-under.

The Oklahoma State alum actually had a chance to break the record on the par-3 9th, but he left his 12-foot birdie putt out to the right to settle for a par.