An ailing Jason Day is in doubt for his US PGA Tour title defence at Torrey Pines as 17-year-old countryman Ryan Ruffels prepares to make his keenly-anticipated pro debut.
Day, who kick-started his five-win 2015 season with victory at Torrey Pines was unable to practice at the iconic coastal course on Tuesday but hopes to be fit for Thursday's opening round of the Farmers Insurance Open.
In a text to AAP, Day confirmed he was feeling "sick as a dog" after he was forced to pull out of a practice round with young gun Ruffels.
Ruffels and fellow youngster Cameron Smith are among a 14-strong Australian contingent as they look to prove themselves as the next wave of talent from Down Under.
Like Day, Ruffels has a Junior World Golf Championships title from Torrey Pines on his resume, winning in 2014, and hopes to use his pro debut as a statement.
"I like to see myself on a similar path to what Jason has done," said Ruffels.
"I am turning pro at a similar time and I hope I can continue to go down that path because he's an incredible player.
"I'm so excited. I've been looking forward to this and it's a place I've played well at before so I'll be ready to compete."
Former US Open champion Geoff Ogilvy, who stepped in for the practice round when Day was ill, was full of praise for Ruffels.
"He's potentially a future world No.1 and he's as good as any 17-year-old I have ever seen," said fellow Victorian Golf Club alumni Ogilvy.
"The conversation is not about him getting a tour card, it's potentially about how good he can be.
"He could be one of the greatest Australian golfers of all time if he continues his progression."
Ruffels may have ruffled a few feathers by making the early change to professional status, but, like a young Day, he has confidence in bucketloads and no doubt he is ready.
He has seven starts to earn the 361 FedEx Cup points needed for special temporary membership, which would allow him to play more tournaments and try for a full card for next season - the path 22-year-old Smith trod last year.
Winning an event would automatically give him a card, while a second place equates to 300 points. Ruffels would earn enough points with seven top-20 finishes but he is aiming higher.
"If you are out here and your goal isn't to be the number one player then what are you doing here?" Ruffels said.
"I see it as flattering that people think I could be like Jason and it has given me a lot of confidence that yes I have the talent and now if I put the work in then hopefully I can keep a nice progression."
"Plan A is to get a win, Plan B is the seven starts and trying to turn them into eight, nine or 10 to try to win enough money for a card."
Matt Jones, Robert Allenby, Stuart Appleby, Aaron Baddeley, Rhein Gibson, Marc Leishman, Jarrod Lyle, Rod Pampling, Cameron Percy and John Senden are slated to join Day, Smith, Ruffels and Ogilvy in the field.
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