Confident Crowe Mesmerised by Masters Aura

Augusta, Georgia, United States: Ahead of his Major debut at the 87th Masters Tournament, Harrison Crowe could not be accused of lacking self-belief.

The 21-year-old Australian earned his ticket to Augusta National courtesy of his victory in the 14th Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) at Thailand’s Amata Spring Country Club last October.

And he’s not turned up this week at one of the world’s most revered venues simply to make up the numbers.

“You’re setting the bar too low for yourself, I think, if you don’t believe you can win,” Crowe was quoted as saying by the Australian Associated Press (AAP).

“And if you don’t reach that level, you’re falling a lot further than you really wanted. If you set the bar really high and you don’t quite reach it, the more times you can surprise yourself by the outcome,” added Crowe, whose AAC success has also secured him a starting spot in the 151st Open Championship at Royal Liverpool in July.

For now, though, Crowe is simply soaking up the atmosphere at Augusta National Golf Club.

On Monday, he had a practice round with fellow Australians Jason Day and Min Woo Lee. In the evening he attended the traditional Amateur Dinner, hosted by Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley.

Yesterday, Crowe joined up for a second practice round with 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott and reigning Open Championship winner Cam Smith.

“The course is definitely longer than I expected,” said Crowe, who described the aura around the players ‘to be mesmerising’.

“You go down Magnolia Lane, and it’s so special. It’s definitely a life-changing experience. Being here, especially seeing how many people are out there. It’s nerve-wracking, but it is also exciting.

“I was lucky enough to be on the 15th green when Tiger’s group was out there on 16, and it was so loud. It kind of gives you goosebumps to hear that. It’s unbelievable.”

With five victories to his name last year, including a breakthrough win against the professionals at the NSW Open, Crowe is not overawed at being in the limelight.

“I relish it. I’m not necessarily going to block it out. I’m going to take it all in and feed off it. I just love being in those situations where there’s a lot of people around. I feel like this is an opportunity to show myself,” said Crowe, who is being accompanied at Augusta by his parents and a handful of friends.

“My game’s really, really good. Everything is falling exactly how me and my coach (Johnny Serhan) wanted it to. It’s in great shape,” he said.