Australian world No.1 amateur Curtis Luck is confident of dusting himself off after a forgettable US PGA Tour debut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, three weeks out from his maiden Masters at Augusta.
The 20-year-old, in the field at Florida's Bay Hill courtesy of a sponsor's invite, carded rounds of 79 and 82 to miss the cut at 17-over-par, before salt was added to the wound with a disqualification for signing an incorrect scorecard.
Luck's playing partner incorrectly wrote him down for a four at the par-4 ninth hole (his 18th) but the Aussie scored a bogey - the error carrying a penalty of automatic disqualification from the tournament.
Not that his result mattered, with Luck 14 shots off the projected 36-hole cut mark of three-over.
American Charley Hoffman is the clubhouse leader by one shot at 10-under with his Friday 66 while overnight co-leader Emiliano Grillo is still on the course at nine-under, with second-round play ongoing.
Perth product Luck, who climbed to the top of the amateur world golf rankings on Wednesday, suffered a bout of food poisoning in Los Angeles en route to Florida but said it wasn't an excuse.
"Unfortunately it was a pretty scrappy week. I didn't get the preparation I wanted and it kind of showed but that's how some weeks go and you've just got to move on," Luck told AAP.
"I'm not too worried; the result at Bay Hill wasn't that important because the Masters is coming up and if anything, it just makes me more motivated to sharpen my game for Augusta."
Luck, who earned his major championship debut at the Masters via his 2016 US Amateur and Asia Pacific Amateur victories, insists he'll turn it around with an intense preparation schedule that includes time with coach Craig Bishop.
"There's nothing drastic I need to change and fortunately I've been offered good practice facilities for the next few weeks," Luck said.
"It's just about getting back to basics - my putting needs to improve.
"I'm in Georgia before the Masters with Craig so I'll have a good week with him."
Luck, who beat a field of professionals to win the Western Australian Open in May, will join the paid ranks 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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