Australian youngster Brett Coletta hopes to learn from world No.1 Jason Day as he prepares for a dream US PGA Tour debut at Pebble Beach this week.
Coletta - who became the first amateur in 25 years to win the Queensland Open last year - will tee up alongside the likes of Day, world No.3 Dustin Johnson, No.6 Jordan Spieth and five-time major winner Phil Mickelson in just his just second professional start.
Entered on a sponsor's exemption, he was hoping to land a practice round with illustrious countryman Day ahead of the $US7,200,000 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am starting Thursday.
"It'd be good to see what the world No.1 goes about a tournament; particularly his course management, how he deals with emotions and ask about his transition into the pro ranks," Coletta told AAP.
"He's at the top of his game and I want to learn what he's gone through to get here."
The 20-year-old Melbourne golfer believed his unheralded status would allow him to fly under the radar as he begins a bid for a US tour card.
After joining management group Wasserman - which counts Day, Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith as clients - Coletta is likely to receive seven sponsor's invites this season on the PGA Tour, the maximum allowed to non members.
Unless Coletta finishes those events within the top 125 on the FedEx Cup points race, he can look to the secondary Web.com Tour to earn a card for the 2017-18 season.
"I've got nothing to lose and it's a good feeling," said Coletta.
"I've certainly earned my stripes to be here, but there are only 125 spots (on tour) and the quantity of golfers who can all win is enormous."
Day is coming off a missed his cut at Torrey Pines two weeks ago.
But the 29-year-old will draw confidence from a strong record at Pebble Beach, with his tie for fourth in 2015 among three top-10 finishes in seven starts.
Meanwhile, Victorian native Geoff Ogilvy is determined to turn around his poor Pebble Beach record this week.
The 2006 US Open champion has made the cut just once in six visits.
"It's never been my happiest hunting ground. I've never had great tournaments," said Ogilvy.
"But I love going; it doesn't get much better than Pebble Beach and there's no reason I can't play well.
"Physically, I've never been as comfortable with how I'm hitting the ball, ever."
Other Australians in the field include Cameron Smith, Matt Jones, John Senden, Rod Pampling, Stuart Appleby, Cameron Percy, Greg Chalmers, Steven Bowditch and Brett Drewitt.
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