Cameron Smith is in the driver's seat to secure an invitation to the Masters having advanced undefeated into the round of 16 at the World Golf Championships-Match Play in Texas.
The Queenslander needs to remain inside the world's top 50 when the Augusta National field is all but finalised on Monday.
It's likely only a giant-killing run into the semi-finals from Si Woo Kim, Charles Howell III, Ian Poulter and Kyle Stanley could stand in his way.
But 24-year-old Smith can almost guarantee a start at the Augusta National major with a win against England's Tyrrell Hatton in the first stage of elimination on day four.
Smith drained a clutch birdie putt from five feet on the 18th to halve his match against Yusaku Miyazato - enough to advance having defeated Hideki Matsuyama and Patrick Cantlay on the first two days.
"It was pleasing to make a good putt there on the last heading into the weekend knowing I can make those short putts under the gun," Smith said.
"I feel as though I've had three really tough matches and I've played really well.
"The putter got a little bit cold towards the end, kept lipping out, but nothing that can't be fixed with a bit of practice."
Fellow Australians Jason Day and Marc Leishman were bundled out from the group stage.
Day, a two-time WGC-Match Play winner, was eliminated when he lost his match to South Africa's Louis Oosthuizen.
"I played poorly all week and it was disappointing," Day said.
Day says he'll use the extra time off to rest and prepare for the Masters, which starts April 5.
"I've got to refocus and get ready for Augusta," Day said.
"I'll get seven days' rest at home and then I will head down (to Augusta)."
Meanwhile, world No.2 Justin Thomas won all three of his group matches to advance and he will face reigning Players Championship winner Si Woo Kim.
Masters champion Sergio Garcia also went undefeated to book a showdown on day four against Kyle Stanley.
Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who won the European Tour event in Perth recently, was another who swept his group and will face off against Charles Howell III.
Two-time Masters winner Bubba Watson advanced and will go up against fellow left-hander Brian Harman.
Patrick Reed defeated Jordan Spieth 2 and 1 to book a showdown with Alex Noren, while Oosthuizen will take on match play specialist Poulter.
Kevin Kisner will face Matt Kuchar in an all-American clash.
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