The Aussie golfer who went viral by hitting a crazy trick shot from a pub onto the green at St Andrews has qualified for the Masters and British Open
A viral video featuring a young Aussie golfer taking an illegal shot from a popular Scottish pub and landing it on the 18th green at St Andrews has seen him qualify for both the US Masters and the British Open.
Harrison Crowe, 21, gained fans around the world this year after releasing the stunning shot without permission or a permit at the golf course.
Now he has stamped his ticket to the big time after winning the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship on Sunday.
Crowe hit the shot outside a Dunvegan pub in Scotland before driving it through nearby buildings and onto the 18th green of St Andrews
Crowe and the film crew then went onto the green at St Andrews – without permission or permission – and drained the putt to complete the stunt
His even-par final round of 72 at Amata Spring Country Club in Thailand to seal the title means he can play The Open at St Andrews for good in 2023.
‘It means so much,’ said Crowe.
‘I came out here this week with something to prove and I’m just really proud of myself the way I handled myself on and off the course.’
But why did the young up-and-comer decide to take the famous shot from a pub in Scotland in the first place?
There is a classic urban legend that four-time major winner Ernie Els – who made a career of hitting clutch shots – landed the ball on the 18th green at St Andrews from the footpath outside Dunvegan.
Content creator Erik Anders Lang from Random Golf Club Films decided to find someone who could impersonate the alleged act, and up stepped a slightly drunk and very energetic Crowe.
‘I heard this crazy story about a golfer who hit a shot from Dunvegan, which was a bar about nine irons away from the 18th green,’ said Lang.
I don’t know who, tonight I found out it was Ernie Els.
‘Filled with excitement, I looked around the inside of Dunvegan, the famous 19th hole of the oldest and most magnificent golf course in the world, and I said, “Who would have thought they would achieve th -18 green from the corner?”.
‘Young Harrison came up to me and said, “I’m from Australia and I can do it”.’
For the first attempt, a tee is pushed into a crack in the fairway and Crowe’s drinking buddy gives him some sage advice.
‘I think it’s the right chimney,’ said Crowe.
That first attempt sailed into nearby buildings, but missed the green on the right, so Crowe had to recalibrate.
‘Go on, film it,’ he said as he took off the tee and placed the ball directly on the footpath.
This time he used the left chimney as his reference point and the ball sailed over the buildings and landed on the green.
‘Come on, baby!’ Crowe said as the onlookers cheered and congratulated him.
The Aussie and his friend went back to their drinks after the stunt – and now Crowe is hoping his next drink at the pub will come as he celebrates a great round in the world’s most prestigious tournament.
