Oliver Goss has imagined playing in the Masters for years but when the time came to actually do it he tried to pretend he was elsewhere.
The 19-year-old amateur, whose four-over 76 was good enough to hold first-round low amateur honours with Englishmen Garrick Porteous and Matthew Fitzpatrick, tried to combat the nerves by taking the reverence of Augusta National out of the equation.
But the move failed as he snapped his opening tee shot so far left it ended up in the adjacent ninth fairway.
At four-over through seven holes, Goss steadied with two birdies in his next six holes but bogeys on 14 and 18 left him four-over once more.
"I had a little thought this morning, every other tournament you play you try and play like you're in the Masters but for the Masters you try and treat it like just another tournament," Goss said.
"But I felt quite comfortable out there after the first hole. I was fine. I got a little nervous a couple of times because of the big crowds but it felt amazing to be out there."
Goss was excited to put what he learned into practice and headed to the range to iron out a few kinks before he returns on Friday to continue his chase for the Low Amateur Silver Cup.
"I struggled with the wind today. It wasn't very strong at times, but it was swirling, every 30 seconds and I really struggled on the front nine, especially," he said.
"But I think everything that happened today will help me for tomorrow. I learned from my mistakes early today and I'll play well tomorrow.
"I need a good run tomorrow to be right in the mix."
