SCOTT Gregory’s reign as British Amateur champion officially comes to an end on Saturday – when the 2017 final is staged at Royal St George’s in Kent, and the winner will earn a spot in next year’s Masters.

But while successfully defending the blue riband event in UK amateur golf is a tall order – only five players have ever achieved it in the Amateur’s 136-year history – Gregory will be aiming to make the cut for the first time in three attempts on United States (US) soil.

The Corhampton man tees off on his US Open debut – just two months on from his maiden Masters appearance – alongside Scots Martin Laird and Russell Knox.

Gregory’s victory at Royal Porthcawl 12 months ago gave him invitations to the first three Major championships of 2017 – providing he retained his amateur status.

Looming large on the horizon now for Gregory is this year’s Walker Cup clash with America. Gregory admitted September’s competition at the Los Angeles Club is very much on his mind and he wants to impress the selectors with a strong showing Stateside.

He said: “I have been at Erin Hill since the start of last week to get to know the golf course as well as possible and to give me the best possible chance to compete at the US Open.

“I want to make the cut, play the first weekend in a Major and if I can do that, it will go some way to cementing my Walker Cup team place.”

Gregory’s past year has all been about gaining experience and garnering contacts from golf’s biggest events on the world stage.

And that might just stand the 22-year-old former Waterlooville Golf Club junior in good stead so that he is better prepared at this week’s US Open than in his two earlier experiences in the Majors.

While preparing to play in the Masters, he met Robert Lang, the owner of Erin Hills, which is hosting this year’s US Open.

Hampshire’s Justin Rose was the last Englishman to win the US Open, and Gregory was hoping to get some practice time with Rose.

Gregory said: “There is a chance I might get to hook up with Justin Rose before play begins tomorrow (Thursday) but whoever I can get to practise with I will just take it as it comes.

“I managed to fix up a practice round with Brooks Koepka last Tuesday – it was really good to pick his brains as he played the US Amateur when it was played at Erin Hills in 2011.

“My coach Simon Andrews, Portsmouth Golf Centre, got out here at the end of last week and we have been working hard to make sure my game is where I want it.

“I played with Mr Lang, who is also a member of the United States Golf Association (USGA), at Augusta the week before the Masters.

“He is arranging for me to have a local caddie for the tournament again this week, which will be a big help.

“I have met some great people like Jack Nicklaus, through playing in events I have been invited to as our Amateur Champion.”