Pro Crowe’s Advice for AAC Contenders

Melbourne, Australia: Harrison Crowe has advised players who find themselves in contention to win the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship (AAC) to avoid thinking about the remarkable rewards on offer to the winner.

Having triumphed at Amata Spring Country Club in Thailand in late 2022, Crowe earned starting spots at The Masters and Open Championship this year.

“The past year has been absolutely amazing … that I would have that opportunity to play those two Majors,” said Crowe, who relinquished his amateur status last month and is making his professional debut in this week’s Western Australian Open.

Although he won’t be defending his AAC title at Royal Melbourne Golf Club from October 26-29, Crowe believes the 10-strong home contingent can deliver a second successive win in the championship for an Australian golfer.

Crowe said: “I think it’s a big chance (of an Australian winner). I know the squad is strong. I play a lot of golf with pretty much all the guys in that team. And I think the home soil advantage is really huge. Antonio Murdaca did it last time it was at Royal Melbourne. So it’d be great to see another Aussie win.

“I know Jye Pickin is coming off a win last week, he’s trending nicely. Jack Buchanan’s playing really well and so is Jeffrey Guan. So, I’m very optimistic. I don’t think they’ll disappoint.”

Crowe partnered Buchanan in the foursomes and fourballs as part of the Asia-Pacific Golf Confederation team that defeated their European Golf Association counterparts in the Ryder Cup-style Bonallack Trophy in Spain at the start of August.

One piece of advice that Crowe has for all those who find themselves in contention at Royal Melbourne is to ‘try not to think about the rewards that come out of it, the Masters and The Open’.

He said: “It’s a long week, and I don’t really feel like I jumped out of the gates last year. I feel like I just worked my way into the tournament. A four-round tournament is always long. But I feel like that week is a little bit longer. Just try and put yourself there (in contention) … but try not to think too much about the two Majors.”

Crowe admitted that he contemplated delaying his decision to turn pro in order to compete at Royal Melbourne this month.

He said: “Yes, I was quite tempted. But I felt like I was ready to go and make the next step. It was just a decision on where I wanted to put my focus, and it was getting events in under my belt and trying to finish well on the Order of Merit and here in Australia on the Australasian Tour.”

Reflecting on his time as AAC champion and his appearances at Augusta National and Royal Liverpool, Crowe said: “The past year has been absolutely amazing, the most unforgettable experience. I learned a lot about myself, a little bit about my game.

“To be able to take any information, I guess from all the top players in the world was really awesome. And I think that kind of catapults me a little bit to what I know I need to do as a professional.

“I was extremely nervous in those two events, but I felt comfortable out there, which I felt was like a big sign, I guess, for me to make that next move.”