HAMPSHIRE’S Harry Ellis had set his sights on playing all four rounds as he prepared to play in Wedneday’s par-three tournament – the traditional curtain-raiser to the Masters which starts this week (writes Andrew Griffin).

The 22-year-old from Southampton, who famously booked his spot at Augusta by becoming the youngest every player to win both the British and English Amateur titles with a stirring comeback over Aussie Dylan Perry at Sandwich last summer, tees off in the sixth group out, playing alongside 1998 champion Mark O’Meara and left-hander Brian Harman.

The Florida State University golfer played down expectations coming into just his second appearance in a Major, after missing the cut at The Open last year, but maintained the confident manner and great self-belief that has already seen him through the highs triumphs as an amateur on the golf course and the deep sadness of losing his mother to cancer when he was just 18.

Ellis said on the eve of the tournament: I actually have low expectations, if not any expectations for the week, if I am honest.

“When my game is in a healthy spot, I know what I can do and I have a lot of belief in my ability.

“If it all comes together for the week and I make the weekend, great. If not, I can walk away with my head held high and say what an incredible experience.”

All the buzz this week has been about how the top ten players in the world are in an incredibly rich vein of form.

World number two Justin Thomas is looking for his first green jacket and number one Dustin Johnson aims to make up for the misery of missing out through injury 12 months ago.

Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson claimed the WGC World Matchplay last month to boost his hopes of a third title, while Hampshire’s realistic hopes of a first green jacket will surely lie with Justin Rose, eager to go one better after his play-off defeat against Sergio Garcia a year ago.

And then there is Tiger Woods, who has defied his critics, sceptics and cynics by rebuilding his swing again after major back surgery and achieving two top-five finishes on the PGA Tour. Can Woods, who became the first black player to win the Masters back in 1997, claim his first Major since 2008 – the beginning of his decline – and his 15th in total?

For Ellis, just to be rubbing shoulder with the man who already has four green jackets, is something of a Boy’s Own dream.

He visited Augusta for the first time with his father Murrary in October and had the rare privilege as a guest of being able to make that famous drive down Magnolia Lane.

“For us to share the first time coming here was pretty surreal – to share that proud moment after all the support he has given me. To bring him to a special place like this was a real father-and-son moment. I have other family here – my brother, my uncle, my nan. That is what this event is about. It’s almost a family celebration – to embrace how good our game is. Augusta National and the Masters tournament, there is no better place to do it

“Golf is in a very healthy place and there are so many players, female players as well, doing so much for the game.”

While Woods has been the player of the last generation and arguably the greatest of all time, Harry Ellis is aware of the chance to write his own history in the game. Very few British amateurs down the years have even made the cut, let alone win the Silver Cup as the leading amateur.

And Ellis did beat the US Amateur Champion, Doc Redman, last week in the pre-Masters challenge for the Georgia Cup at The Golf Club of Georgia – a bit of revenge for Great Britain’s heavy Walker Cup defeat in Los Angeles last September when Ellis and his predecessor as Amateur Champion, fellow Hampshire player Scott Gregory, were in the team.

“Tiger is not the only guy playing great golf right now and I would love to try and get in the mix of that,” continued Ellis. “I really don’t anticipate this to be my last Masters, but there is something unique about playing here as an amateur. To say you have done it. There is a rich history to this event, but when you think of it in the grand scheme of things, very few amateurs get to play here.

“You won’t be able to take my name off the field from this week. No-one will every take this moment away from me. It’s an opportunity for me to progress in my career. This is another step forward and I’m only just beginning. The opportunity to be here, to embrace the history of the event and perhaps make my mark is fantastic.”

But when his moment comes on that first tee, like every golfer in every game across the world, no matter the standard, he still has the same aim.

“I just want to hit the first fairway,” the Meon Valley man laughed.