Amateur Crowe on track for majors starts

Australia's Harrison Crowe has taken a two-shot lead after the third round of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Thailand.

KARL VILIPS.
KARL VILIPS. Picture: Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

Australian youngster Harrison Crowe is in the box seat to claim starts at the Masters and British Open as he takes a two-shot lead into the final round of the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship in Thailand.

The 21-year-old from Sydney fired a second consecutive five-under 67 on Saturday, to get to a 13-under 203 at the Amata Spring Country Club in Chonburi.

He leads from South Korea's Minhyuk Song (68) and the halfway leader, China's Bo Jin (71).

Crowe set up his lead with a flawless round containing five birdies, capped by a stunning tee shot to within centimetres of the pin on the island green of the 152-yard par-3 17th hole.

Victory would cap an exceptional year for Crowe who downed the professionals to win the NSW Open in March.

The winner on Sunday gets an invitation to Augusta National for the Masters in April 2023 and a spot in the British Open at Royal Liverpool in July.

"I haven't thought about it but honestly, I am confident that when I turn pro, I will be playing these big tournaments later in my career. I'm not comparing the pressure this week. I'm just having a blast this week and will go out there and do the same things tomorrow," said Crowe, who also won the prestigious Australian Master of Amateurs this year.

"I would turn pro almost as soon as I get back home, but the focus is on tomorrow. I would love to delay that decision."

Crowe is attempting to become the third Australian to win the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship - and its coveted rewards - in its 13-year history after Antonio Murdaca (2014) and Curtis Luck (2016).

Among past winners is Hideki Matsuyama who triumphed in 2010 and 2011 before going on to famously win the Masters in 2021.

Josh Greer is the next-best placed Australian in a share of seventh, six shots behind Crowe, after a 69.