Former star amateur Oliver Goss will next week launch a bid to win his second West Australian Open – this time when he makes his debut as a professional.
The 20-year-old, who was runner-up in the US Amateur last year, will line up in his home event at Cottesloe Golf Club after triumphing in 2012 at Royal Perth.
“I am so excited I can’t wait to play in Australia. It’s been about two years since I played a tournament back home,” Goss said. “I am really excited to try and get another win at the WA Open.”
He decided against making a defence in 2013 due to commitments in the US. After a season overseas, including an appearance in this year’s US Masters, Goss believes he returns this year an improved player.
“It was disappointing not being able to come home last year and defend the title but it was a sacrifice that I had to make,” he said.
An amateur at the University of Tennessee before turning professional in June, Goss said he was now more rounded in every sense.
“I think I am a much better golfer than I was two years ago. I don’t think there is one thing that I can say has made the difference, a lot of things have developed me as a person.
"Having a lot of other responsibilities has made me mature a lot. It has helped me on the golf course as well with decision making.”
After winning a spot at Augusta due to his US Amateur performance, Goss became the first Australian to finish low amateur.
He then went on to play his second Major, the US Open, before turning professional and leading a PGA TOUR event in just his second start.
"Obviously a goal is to win the WA Open but I am trying not to look too far ahead of myself. I am going to set little goals. I need to focus on smaller things to build up to the win," he said.
"There is a little bit more added pressure but I am trying not to think about it. I am going to approach it like every other tournament – just play my best and if I come out on top at the end of the week then I will be just as happy as I was two years ago.”
Familiar with the Cottesloe layout, Goss is excited to be returning to Australia to play in front of a home crowd.
“I have played Cottesloe heaps of times. I played there in the WA Open when I was 15. Unfortunately I missed the cut by one.”
Goss will then tee up in the Perth International from October 23-26 before returning to the US for the web.com tour qualifying school.
The winner of the WA Open receives official World Golf Ranking points and becomes fully exempt on to the PGA Tour of Australasia for the remainder of this season and a further two years.
Meanwhile, Australian amateur Geoff Drakeford is among 191 players to have made it through to Stage Two qualifying for next year’s European Tour.
Drakeford, who won the Porter Cup in the US this year, will return to Australia to play the Asia Pacific Amateur Championship at Royal Melbourne beginning on October 23 before heading back to tackle Stage Two of the European Tour Qualifying from November 7-19.
The final stage of qualifying will take place a week later in Spain.
By: Robert Grant