With the Masters at Augusta only weeks away, Australia has a new world No.1 golfer - just not in the professional ranks.
Perth native Curtis Luck has climbed to the top of the world amateur golf rankings for the first time in his career, just 24 hours before making his US PGA Tour debut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Florida.
He will also make his major championship debut at the Masters in April.
The 20-year-old Luck, given a sponsor's invite to this week's US PGA Tour event at Bay Hill, says the No.1 spot has been a dream six years in the making.
"Since I started playing at a high level at the age of 14, it's been a goal to be the world no.1 amateur, so that's one checked off the list," Luck told AAP.
"It just makes me more excited to get to Augusta and compete hopefully still as the No.1 amateur in the world."
Luck won his start at Augusta courtesy of a phenomenal 2016 in golf's unpaid ranks - first claiming the US Amateur in August, becoming just the third Australian to achieve that feat.
He also secured a ticket to Augusta by virtue of winning the Asia Pacific Amateur in October.
Luck says the Arnold Palmer Invitational, starting Friday AEDT, is an ideal dress rehearsal for the year's first major championship.
"Yeah, I'm obviously playing against a lot of guys this week at Bay Hill that will be at the Masters," said Luck.
"I'll be thrilled to see Augusta for the first time, but I'll also be there to compete; the goals are to make the cut and be leading amateur."
In the past 12 months, Luck has proven he can mix it with the professionals, winning the Western Australian Open in May before a tie for 11th at the Australian Open in November.
Leading into the Arnold Palmer Invitational, Luck carded a top-25 at the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic in February. He also made the cut at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
"More than anything, I feel more comfortable playing in pro tournaments now," said Luck.
"It makes me feel I'm out here for a reason and I can play against the world's best."
The results reaffirm Luck's desire to turn professional immediately after the Masters, and he has secured several sponsor invites to US PGA Tour events in 2017.
He's already signed with management group IMG.
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