AMATEUR Champion Scott Gregory’s official invitation to compete in the 2017 Masters remained at his Waterlooville home for the best part of a month before he could finally get to hold it (writes Andrew Griffin).

Now, it is fair to say, it does not stray far from his grasp as the clock begins to count down to the day in early April when he takes his first steps along the hallowed Magnolia Drive and hits his first practice shot at Bobby Jones’ fabled Augusta course in Georgia.

Corhampton Golf Club ace Gregory was competing some 17,000 miles away at Royal Melbourne when the postman delivered the precious envelope in early January, confirming he would become the first amateur golfer from Hampshire to compete for a green jacket in the Masters’ 83-year history.

The World No 7 ranked amateur came home with another major international honour to his name after winning the New South Wales Amateur Championship, beating his England team-mate Marco Penge, from Golf Goodwood, by the narrowest of margins in the 36-hole final.

Gregory said: “This invite is the one that I have dreamed about for many, many years. It’s a dream come true to finally have one arrive. I can’t wait to make the most of this opportunity in April.”