Amateur world No.1 Curtis Luck has been given a glowing endorsement from golf's biggest stars on the eve of the Australian prodigy's Masters debut.
Luck, who booked his Masters berth with victory at the 2016 US Amateur and Asia-Pacific Amateur championships, has played practice rounds at Augusta National with world No.2 Rory McIlroy, No.3 Jason Day and 2013 Masters champion Adam Scott.
Four-time major winner McIlroy, 27, played with Luck on Tuesday and was clearly impressed with the 20-year-old from Perth.
"Curtis is an exciting prospect for you guys (Australia) in the next few years," said McIlroy.
"His golf game is good; he hits it far enough and he's very consistent. I didn't really see any weaknesses and (mentally) nothing really fazes him."
Day predicted Luck - who will turn professional immediately after the Masters - would make as smooth a transition into the paid ranks as he did as a 19-year-old.
"Curtis reminds me of myself," said Day. "I turned pro at a young age.
"If he's mature enough, which I think he is, he's ready for it.
"He's obviously won big tournaments (the big amateur titles plus the 2016 WA Open) before, so he has the gut to do that and I think he'll succeed."
Scott believed Luck had potential to be a big success quickly.
"I think a lot of Curtis' game. If he just ticks a few of the right boxes in the next few months, he can be another breakout star, just like Jon Rahm or Jordan Spieth," said Scott.
The 36-year-old Scott believes Luck's major championship debut starting Thursday is the ultimate litmus test before he tackles the nine US PGA Tour sponsor's exemption starts he's secured as a professional for this season.
"He's won on the biggest stage as an amateur. It's time now for him to move on and challenge himself to the next level," said Scott.
"(The Masters) is going to be a great experience for him to see where his game is at."
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