Tim Stewart is aiming to become just the second Australian, and the first in over 50 years, to win the British Amateur after he qualified for the final at Royal Lytham & St Annes overnight. The 22-year old won his quarter and semi finals 1up to progress to the decider against American Drew Weaver. Should he win, Stewart will not only take one of the most prestigious titles in amateur golf but will also receive exemptions into the British Open and the US Masters. The only Australian to win the British Amateur was Doug Bachli who claimed the honour in 1954; the same year of Peter Thomson&aposs first British Open triumph, marking a distinct Australian flavour of success on the British links. It has also been 28 years since Jay Sigel became the last American to triumph, setting the stage for a drought-breaking finale whatever happens over the course of the next 36 holes. Stewart started the penultimate day against Spaniard Jorge Campillo in the quarter-finals and despite falling behind early, managed to find his rhythm and play the style of golf that saw him claim last year&aposs Australian Amateur Championship. The New South Welshman held on for a 1up triumph which carried him into the afternoon&aposs semi-final against Callum Macaulay of Scotland. Stewart continued where he left off and made a statement on the opening hole with a successful 10-foot birdie putt. But the Australian lost a ball on the third and was then held to a series of halves by his Scottish opponent. Macaulay converted a solid birdie on the seventh which saw him enter the turn 1up, however the momentum swung dramatically on the 14th when the Scotsman found heavy rough from the tee. Stewart took the lead and the ascendancy on the following hole but Macaulay held firm to halve 16 and 17. With the final in sight, Stewart&aposs one-iron tee shot on the 18th found sand to the right of the green but his opponent did likewise, leaving the Australian with an up and down to seal his place in the decider. Stewart has gone from strength to strength in recent years, adding the Riversdale Cup and an Australian Institute of Sport scholarship to his growing resume. The 22-year old has also established himself as one of the world&aposs premier match play competitors, claiming the Australian Championship in 2006, a semi-final berth in New Zealand the same year and recording numerous victories in Australian representative teams including the Trans Tasman and Four Nations Cup. Now Stewart has the opportunity to add his name to one of the most prestigious trophies in amateur golf and become the first Australian winner in over half a century. It has been a remarkable tournament overall for the Australian contingent with Andrew Dodt and Rohan Blizard making the round of 32 and Rick Kulacz reaching the quarter-finals where he was eliminated 1down by Jason Shufflebotham. The first round of the 36-hole final commences at 5:00pm Saturday (AEST) and the second round gets underway at 11:00pm. The action can be followed live at www.randa.org with a full summary to be posted at www.golfaustralia.org.au on Sunday.