Amateurs fight nerves in first Masters

It’s a record year for Mas­ters rookies, with 24 walking the lush fairways of Augusta National for the first time. Among them are six amateurs vying for the coveted silver cup bestowed to the low amateur.

These players have experience at the highest levels of tournament golf, but there was no denying an understandable case of nerves when teeing it up for the first time at the Masters.

“In every other tournament you play, you try to play like you’re in the Masters,” said Australian Oliver Goss, a 24-year-old sophomore at Ten­nes­see. “But in the Mas­ters, you try to treat it like it’s just another tournament. I got a little nervous out there a couple times because of the big crowd, but it felt amazing to be out there.”

Goss, Matthew Fitz­patrick and Garrick Porteous were the low amateurs Thursday after rounds of 4-over-par 76. Goss qualified as the runner-up at the U.S. Amateur, won by Fitzpatrick. Porteous earned his invite as British Ama­teur champion.

Porteous got off to a rough start with bogeys on the first three holes, but he bounced back with a birdie at the 240-yard, par-3 fourth hole.

“I think I finally settled down after the birdie on No. 4,” said Porteous, who plans to turn pro after the tournament. “I got into a rhythm on the back nine.”

So did Goss, who birdied No. 13 and shot 1-over par on the back nine.

“I was more nervous when I had my practice round with Adam (Scott),” Goss said. “I had a couple putts hit the edges, and I was glad to get them down.”

Goss said Scott didn’t offer him too much advice on the course, not wanting to overload the rookie with information.

But in a practice round with fellow Australian Jason Day, the tips were plentiful.

“Adam just kept me calm, but Jason wouldn’t stop talking,” Goss said. “I took it all in. I didn’t have to ask him a thing.”

Fitzpatrick got double bogey on the first hole, birdied the second and parred the rest of the front nine. He was 3-over on the second nine.

“I’m just trying to realize where I am,” Fitzpatrick said. “I’m playing a major championship with the best golfers in the world, and just realizing that I’m only 19 as well.”

It’s been a memorable week for all the amateurs. Chang-woo Lee, a 20-year-old from Seoul, South Korea, got to play practice rounds with two of his favorites, K.J. Choi and Sang-Moon Bae.

“At first I was very excited and nervous,” Lee, who shot 80 on Thursday, said through interpreter Jin-Woo Kim. “But as soon as I was on the course, they made me feel comfortable and gave me advice on course management.”

Michael McCoy, 51, qualified for his first Masters by winning the 2013 U.S. Mid-Amateur.

It was his 38th USGA event and first title.

“It’s just been magical,” said McCoy, who had a pair of birdies Thursday while shooting 78. “Being around all these great players and this great venue – it was aces all the way around.”

Jordan Niebrugge struggled through Amen Corner and carded 81.