Trace Crowe Takes Austin Championship Lead Into Final Round

Trace Crowe is 18 holes away from his first PGA Tour victory, but Saturday's roller-coaster performance at the 2026 Austin Championship proved nothing will come easily.

The 29-year-old survived four bogeys and an inconsistent afternoon at Omni Barton Creek Resort's Fazio Canyons Course, closing with consecutive birdies to shoot a 1-under 71 and take a one-stroke lead into Sunday's final round.

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At 14-under-par, Crowe holds the advantage over Erik van Rooyen, Sami Valimaki and Chad Ramey, all tied for second at 13 under.

For a player with just 50 PGA Tour starts and two Korn Ferry Tour victories, Sunday's opportunity could become a career-changing moment.

But Crowe isn't interested in protecting his lead.

"My mindset tomorrow is to go attack the day and see what it gives," Crowe said.

His third round illustrated why that approach might be necessary.

After opening with a birdie, Crowe stumbled with consecutive bogeys at the third and fourth holes. He recovered with birdies at Nos. 5 and 9 before another pair of bogeys at the 10th and 11th threatened his position atop the leaderboard.

Then came the turnaround.

Crowe birdied the 14th before delivering his biggest moment at the par-3 17th, holing a bunker shot for birdie. Another birdie at the 18th secured the outright lead and gave him momentum heading into Sunday.

Van Rooyen, meanwhile, produced a similarly unpredictable round.

The South African raced out with four birdies in his opening six holes but surrendered ground with a bogey at No. 8 and double bogey at No. 9. He responded with three back-nine birdies, including one at the finishing hole, to post a 69.

Ramey made the day's biggest move among the leading contenders, firing a 5-under 67 to climb into contention.

Valimaki, who captured the 2025 RSM Classic, remained firmly in the championship picture with a 69 of his own.

The stakes extend beyond Sunday's trophy. With the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup Fall season nearing its conclusion, every position matters for players seeking to strengthen their status heading into 2027.

Crowe has already demonstrated he can win on the Korn Ferry Tour. Now comes the challenge of finishing the job against PGA Tour competition.

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The final group of Crowe, Valimaki and Ramey is scheduled to tee off Sunday at 10:01 a.m. Eastern.

And with three challengers just one shot behind, Crowe's first PGA Tour victory is anything but guaranteed.