Crowe Takes One-Shot Lead Into Austin Final Round

Trace Crowe took a one-shot lead into the final round of the inaugural Austin Championship after shooting a 1-under 71 in Saturday’s third round, finishing with consecutive birdies, including a holed bunker shot on the 17th, to reach 14 under. Erik van Rooyen, Sami Valimaki and Chad Ramey are one shot behind, with 13 players within three shots in blustery conditions. Crowe opened with a career-best 62 and is seeking his first PGA Tour victory; he began the week 117th in the FedExCup Fall standings and needs a strong finish to improve his position, as players must be in the top 100 after next week’s RSM Classic to secure 2027 Tour cards. Austin Smotherman is among those three shots back and could become the first player since 2017 to win three consecutive Tour starts. Teenager Blades Brown, coming off a breakthrough win in Mexico, is also in the field but farther behind.