Royal Fremantle product Oliver Goss has confirmed his first tournament as a Professional on home soil will be the John Hughes Nexus Risk Services WA Open Championship from 16-19 October at Cottesloe Golf Club.
It’s fitting the 20-year-old’s first tournament as a Professional on the PGA Tour of Australasia is the WA Open; the same tournament Goss won as an amateur in 2012.
“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,” said Goss.
“I am really excited to try and get another win at the WA Open.”
Forgoing the opportunity to defend his title in 2013 due to commitments in the US, 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,” added Goss who attended the University of Tennessee before turning Professional in June.
“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.”
Life has changed dramatically for Goss since he claimed the WA Open as a little known 18-year-old amateur.
Since then he finished runner-up at the 2013 US Amateur earning an invite to the 2014 Masters Tournament where he became the first Australian is 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.
“I’ve had a little bit of success whilst being away from home and it does change things. People start to recognise me around town every now and then,” added Goss
“I am trying to adjust to it all but I am still the same person I was two years ago, I think that is very important.”
“Two years ago I was watching guys like Adam Scott and Jason Day on TV and now I have played a bunch with them and we have become pretty good friends.”
“It is quite surreal to look at where I was two years ago and where I am now.”
Pegged as one of the future stars of Australian golf Goss is taking it all in his stride, concentrating on his game with a quiet confidence.
“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.”
“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,” added Goss.
“I am really looking forward to playing it again. I think it suits my game, it can get a little windy.”
“Playing at Royal Fremantle for so many years, it’s one of the windiest courses in WA so I think I will be really comfortable at Cottesloe.”
“I’m just really excited; it’s going to be fun seeing everyone there and competing in front of the home town crowd.”
Following the John Hughes Nexus Risk Services WA Open Championship Goss will play in the Perth International from 23-26 October before returning to the US for Web.com Tour Qualifying School.
The John Hughes Nexus Risk Services WA Open Championship will be played at Cottesloe Golf Club in Perth, from 16-19 October.
Being played for a prize purse of AU$110,000 the winner also receives Official World Golf Ranking Points and becomes fully exempt on to the PGA Tour of Australasia for the remainder of this season plus a further two years.
