Crowe holds third-round lead at Austin Championship, chases first PGA Tour win

Trace Crowe of the United States held the lead for the third straight day at the PGA Tour's Austin Championship ($6 million purse), moving within reach of his first career victory on tour.

Crowe carded a 1-under-par 71 in the third round Sunday (Korean Standard Time) at the Fazio Canyons Course at Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa (par 72) in Austin, Texas, making six birdies and five bogeys.

At 14 under par (202) for the tournament, Crowe held a one-stroke advantage over Chad Ramey of the United States, Sami Välimäki of Finland and Erik van Rooyen of South Africa, all tied at 13 under (203).

The event marks Crowe's 50th career PGA Tour start. Crowe has two wins on the Korn Ferry Tour but has yet to claim a victory on the PGA Tour. His best finish on tour was a tie for third at the Bank of Utah Championship in October.

Crowe entered the week ranked 117th in the FedEx Cup Fall standings, and a strong finish could secure full playing privileges for the 2027 season — the top 100 players at season's end earn cards for the following year.

Crowe struggled to pull away through the 16th hole, alternating birdies and bogeys. He then delivered back-to-back birdies on the final two holes. On the par-3 17th, his tee shot found a greenside bunker, but he holed out from roughly 13.6 meters for a sand save. He followed that with a birdie putt of about 2.5 meters on the par-5 18th.

Max Greyserman and Ben Kohles, both of the United States, were tied for fifth at 12 under (204), two strokes off the pace.

Six players are separated by just two strokes from the lead down through the tie for fifth, setting up a tight battle for the title in the final round. Severe weather is also forecast for the closing day, adding another variable to an already unpredictable finish.