Every PGA Tour Rookie of the Year since 1990 has gone on to win a PGA Tour event, but Eric Cole stands as the only exception.

Currently competing in the Charles Schwab Challenge, the 37-year-old shot a brilliant 7-under-par 63 in the third round of the tournament on May 31. He played the round at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. It matched the lowest round of the tournament and also moved him to 12-under par. This gives him a one-shot lead over Ryan Gerard heading into the final round on Sunday.

A statistic shared by PGA Tour Communications on X highlights the importance of this Sunday. Since 1990, 36 players have won the Arnold Palmer Award, and together they have collected 277 PGA Tour victories. Cole, the 2023 recipient, is the only name on that list yet to win.

However, this statistic could change forever on Sunday, given that Cole is in a favorable position to win the Charles Schwab Challenge.

"I kind of knew going into it that it was going to be a harder course. Firmer conditions," Cole told the Associated Press. "Getting off to that start and realizing how much harder the course was today was great."

This is his 120th PGA Tour start. This is Cole's first 54-hole lead since his PGA Tour debut in 2021. The last time he played in the final group in the final round was at the 2025 Sony Open in Hawaii, where he finished fifth.

Cole made a strong start on Saturday, making birdies on four of his first eight holes. He added two more birdies by the 11th hole. His only bogey of the round came between two birdies on the back nine.

One of the best moments of the day came at the par-3 16th hole. That's where he chipped in from 27 feet, and officials named it the Shot of the Day.

Mac Meissner and U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun finished the round in a tie for second at 10-under par, two shots behind Cole.

Sunday is also a special day for Cole, as it is his mother, Laura Baugh's, 71st birthday. Baugh has played on the LPGA Tour for 25 years and won Rookie of the Year in 1973.

The Family Golf Legacy Behind Eric Cole's Pursuit of a First PGA Tour Win

Cole comes from a family with a strong golf background. Laura Baugh won the LPGA Rookie of the Year award in 1973. She recorded 70 top-10 finishes during her 25-year LPGA career.

His father, Bobby Cole, was a professional golfer from South Africa. He won one PGA Tour event, which came in 1977 at Flint Elks Club in Michigan.

Both of Cole's parents were professional golfers, but they did not win many tournaments. On Sunday in Fort Worth, Cole has the chance to achieve something that would add to their legacy. 

So, do you think Eric Cole will finally get his first PGA Tour win on Sunday? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Sneha Abraham

Edited by

Souvik Roy