Harry Ellis set his sights on playing all four rounds at the Masters.

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

While the Florida State University player played down expectations coming into just his second-ever appearance in a Major, after missing the cut in The Open at Royal Birkdale, in July, he his 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.

Harry 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 10 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 world number one Dustin Johnson looking to make up for the misery of missing out through injury 12 months ago after a fall at his home after a practice round.

Two-time Masters champion Bubba Watson claimed the WGC World Matchplay late last month to boost his hopes of a hat-trick since 2012.

And then there is Tiger Woods, who has defied his critics, sceptics and cynics by rebuilding his swing again after major back surgery – after two top fives not the PGA Tour – can the first-ever black winner back in 1997 go on to claim his first Major since 2008 – the beginning of his decline – and his 15th in total.

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

Harry travelled to Augusta for the first time with his father Murray in late October, who was given the rare privilege of being a guest able to make that famous drive down Magnolia Lane.

Harry said: “For us to share the first time coming here was a pretty surreal – to share that moment proud moment for 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 is also here, my uncle, my nan. That is what this event is about.

It is almost a family celebration - to embrace the game how good our game is, and Augusta National and the Masters tournament there is no better place to do it

“Golf is in a very healthy spot and there’s a lot of players – I have even said female players – doing so much for the game right now.

“For Woods to be here this week it feels like a celebration of the man for him to be in the field.”

While Woods has been the player of the last generation and arguably the greatest of all time, Harry is aware of the chance to write his own history in the game – very few British Amateurs have even made the cut down the years 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 Georgia Golf Club, a bit of revenge for the Great Britain’s team heavy defeat at the Walker Cup in Los Angeles last September when Ellis and his predecessor as Amateur Champion – Hampshire’s Scott Gregory, from Corhampton, were in the team.

Harry said: “Tiger is not the only guy playing great right now and to be a part of that – I would love to try and get in the mix of that.

“I have always said I really don’t anticipate this to be my last masters, but there is something unique about playing Masters 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 this event.

“You won’t be able to take my name off the field from this week. No-one will ever 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 to mark my name within history 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.