Amateur Oliver Goss leaves in high spirits

An unforgettable week at Augusta National ended Sun­day with a trip to Butler Ca­bin for Oliver Goss, the Uni­ver­sity of Tennessee sophomore who won the silver cup as the low amateur of the 78th Masters.

A year after Adam Scott became the first Australian to win a green jacket, Goss became the first Aussie to take low amateur honors. He was the only amateur to make the cut, finishing at 10-over par.

“I can’t believe it, to be honest with you,” Goss said after his round of 75 on Sunday. “I heard I might be the second, but to be the first is really quite unbelievable.”

After a shaky front nine with bogeys on Nos. 1, 4, 8 and 9, Goss made the turn in 40, then settled into a groove.

He parred No. 12 before drilling a monster drive on 13, leaving 180 yards to the hole. He hit a 9-iron and two-putted from the middle of the green for a tap-in birdie.

On No. 16, Goss hit his tee shot into the bunker to the left of the green. He blasted out and used the slope of the green to bring the ball back a foot from the hole.

Goss, who turned 20 on Sat­­ur­day, said sharing the experience with his family and friends made the week even more special.

“With my dad out here – he’s been the biggest influence on my golf since I was really young,” Goss said.

Goss’ father, Darren, made the trip from Australia and was taking it all in on the last nine.

“This is a dream come true for me to watch and for him to play,” Darren Goss said. “Playing the back nine at Augusta on Sunday, whether you are in contention or here for the first time, is exciting. He’s been very humble about everything.”

Tennessee golf coach Jim Kel­son, who once coached at Augusta State, followed Goss, who plans to use his exemption as runner-up at the U.S. Amateur to play the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, then decide about turning pro.

“I’m not sure if he’ll be back,” Kelson said. “But he is such a nice young man. He drives it incredibly long and straight. And he’s got great hands and touch around the greens. His pitching and chipping are among the best I’ve ever seen. He’s got that ‘it’ factor.”

Augusta caddie Brian Tam, who looped for Goss, said he has the game to excel at the highest level.

“I was impressed with his length and the trajectory of his ball flight,” Tam said. “And he is so poised. I mean, this is the Masters. All in all, he’s a really good dude.”

Goss said he will take away a lot from his Masters experience.

“There are certain tournaments that change your game,” he said. “This is the pinnacle of golf, so I can’t see how this couldn’t change your game.”