Whatever happens, next week’s Masters will be a week to remember for Thriston Lawrence and his family.
Since turning professional as a teenager in 2014, an invite to Augusta National has long been an ambition for not only him but his father, Steven, who has played more than a helping hand in his career.
When the first men’s Major of the season begins next Thursday, the pair will share in experiencing the sights and sounds of the Masters as a player-caddie partnership.
With his long-time bagman, former Sunshine Tour player Theunis Bezuidenhout, unavailable following an accident earlier this month, Lawrence has since turned to his father – who coached him for a decade and helped lay the foundations for what he has achieved on the global stage.
"My father has been caddying for the last couple of weeks, and he will be on the bag again [at Augusta]. This has been a dream for me and him," said Lawrence.
"Even as a kid, we had been talking about him caddying at the Par 3 Contest one day and stuff like that.
"Before I teamed up with Theunis, my father caddied for me for my first couple of months as a professional. I have been playing since 2014, so he’s always been involved, not just coaching but caddying as well.
"It’s not the ideal situation to not have my full-time caddie on the bag but I think for any father-son duo it is certainly a dream come true to share the fairways with him."
A dual member on both the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR this season, the 28-year-old drove down Magnolia Lane for the first time last month as he enjoyed the perfect appetizer by playing at Augusta National in practice.
"I was fortunate enough to play Augusta a couple of weeks ago," he added in an interview with the DP World Tour ahead of playing at the PGA TOUR's Valero Texas Open this week.
"I managed to get two rounds in, so I feel I am really familiar with the golf course. I feel like arriving there it will be a normal tournament at a golf course I know, and I am going to enjoy it."
I think for any father-son duo it is certainly a dream come true to share the fairways with him
Having watched the Masters on the television for so many years and hearing about the course from others, his expectations were high but they were more than met.
"It was insane to be honest," he said. "You see the pictures on TV and hear what people say about it so I had this high level of expectation. It definitely exceeded them.
"It is definitely my favourite golf course I have ever played.
"Not just because it is the Masters but because of the lay of the land, the trees, the big property, just the condition was really incredible.
"Not just to experience it but also to play and work towards planning for the Masters."
Lawrence will complete his set of Major Championship starts bolstered by some tips from a local caddie, from whom he sought some expertise on his reconaissance trip.
"The work I did with a local caddie was pretty simple, sort of the bigger picture," he explained.
"He told me that guys can try and be too technical. It’s just a normal golf course at the end of the day.
"It’s pretty straightforward from the tee. In my eyes, it is a second shot golf course, and you need to be very good with your short game.
"There is not a lot of trouble around that golf course. When you get to Amen Corner, there’s water involved, but other than that the golf course is pretty simple.
"There’s just lots of slopes and it’s about knowing where to hit your ball. Look at the bigger picture and know there are a lot of options to get it close to the hole."
But Lawrence aknowledges there is a unique complexity to the course, the only venue which hosts the same Major every year.
Part of what makes Augusta National so special is Amen Corner, the most recognisable three-hole stretch in golf.
“Holes 11, 12 and 13 were quite spectacular," the World Number 69 reflected.
"I had it very easy. In the morning, no wind, obviously no crowds.
"It’s not the tournament so it was easy in a sense because there is no worrying about failure or bad shots but there were goosebumps.
“I have sort of let myself into the moment of Jordan Spieth having the lead on a Sunday. I am still trying to hit a good shot, even though it is a practice round.
"Just playing the 12th hole was something to see. If you have a three or four shot lead, they can easily throw it away.
"I have played tougher golf courses, but I think it is going to come down to the mental approach."
Lawrence understandbly can't wait for tournament week to come along, and to get the chance to make his mark in this Masters.
In the second part of our interview with Lawrence to be released over the coming days, we will bring you his perspective on his rise over recent seasons and how he hopes to channel those experiences to his benefit on his Masters debut.
