Aussie amateurs eye Augusta berth

Baby-faced teenager Ryan Ruffels is among 10 elite young Australian golfers counting on local knowledge to help them win a dream start at the US Masters.

They will tee up in a classy field for the Asia-Pacific Amateur Championship at Royal Melbourne on Thursday, bent on claiming the place at Augusta National in April that goes to Sunday’s winner.

“I think the closest we’ve been to Augusta is playing video games of the course – they tell me the greens are pretty quick,” said 16-year-old Ruffels, the son of former Australian tennis professional Ray Ruffels.

“It is a lifetime dream to get to Augusta. It is a great opportunity.

“If I cannot win it, I hope one of the other nine Aussies can.”.

Ruffels grew up in Florida but now lives in Australia where he plays pennant for Victoria Golf Club.

He already has a string of titles to his name, including the Junior World Golf Championship, the Riversdale Cup and the Australian Junior Amateur crown, but is probably just as well known for finishing tied for 24th in last year’s Australian Open when just 15.

Lucas Herbert, Australia’s highest world-ranked amateur, has had to juggle exam commitments and will rush back to Bendigo in northern Victoria for his VCE exams next week.

“I am going all out to win but if Ryan (Ruffels) wins, I’ll be offering to caddie for him,” said Herbert.

“The school has been fantastic for me with the time off,” he said, before adding his mother was also the deputy principal.

Geoff Drakeford echoed the sentiments of his two friends.

“It will be great if one of us wins this week and gets over to Augusta. Naturally we would like to win it ourselves but we are all good mates,” he said.

He said local knowledge around the famous Royal Melbourne composite course would be a huge advantage for the Australians.

“We have all played the course a number of times and it is a different beast when the greens dry out and the wind blows.”

All three have fond memories watching the Masters at Augusta on television.

Ruffels said he was playing in a junior event in Perth when he heard the roar from the clubhouse after Adam Scott holed the putt that got him into a play-off two years ago.

“When I heard he had won, I raced through my round to get back to the hotel to watch the replay.”

The Asian-Pacific Amateur Championship is in its sixth year and this is the first time it has been played in Australia.

As well as a spot in the Masters at Augusta, the winner and runner-up will receive a place in the final stage of next year’s British Open qualifying. The winner will also gain a spot the 2015 British Amateur Championship.

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