Top amateur title for Crowe

Crowe has been chipping through the golf rankings since making his mark at 14, working in the pro shop at Bardwell Valley Golf Club and qualifying for his first Australian Open at 18.

IN a nail-biting finish, the now 20-year-old, who plays out of St Michael's Golf Club, led the tournament from the opening round and won by a shot from fast-finishing Victorians Andree Lautee and Konrad Ciupek- it took a birdie on the 72nd hole to claim the title.

"I had Konrad chewing at my heels in my group and I knew a few of the other boys in the group in front were playing well, so I had to knuckle out towards the end," Crowe said.

Crowe was in control early. However, two errors on top of another on the 15th and 16th holes re-ignited the contest. He corrected with a par at the 17th before ensuring there would be no playoff with a birdie at the par-5 last.

"There were nerves over that last tee shot for sure," he admitted. " But I nailed it and when I hit my four iron from '220 to the middle of the green, I breathed a big sigh of relief, let me tell you. To make birdie up the last to win was special."

Crowe becomes the first NSW Blue to win the championship since 1999 and joins previous winners, including Jason Day.