Queenslander Jason Day made his debut at Augusta in 2011 and nearly became the first Masters rookie to win a Green Jacket since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979.

While it won’t be the sole motivator for the World Number 11 to win the first Major of the year, it will certainly light a fire to be in contention come Monday morning Australian time.

The close call in 2011 came at an ideal time for a young Day who revealed he was close to giving the game away prior to becoming World Number 1 years later.

“I was almost close to quitting the game in 2011 when I was a rookie coming and playing this event for the first time,” said Day.

“I met my agent, Bud, and a sports psychologist, and we ended up coming up with a plan of just going out there and having fun.  I ended up finishing second and had a good chance of winning the tournament, and Charl Schwartzel came home in a flurry and birdied the last four holes.

“And then in 2013 I was very close again.  Had the lead with I think three holes left and didn’t quite get it done, but Adam Scott ended up finishing and being the first Australian to win the Masters.

“So with all that said, this is a tournament that I’m always focused to try and win every single year, and I’m striving towards hopefully one day slipping that Green Jacket on and being able to call myself a Masters champion.”

Day is hoping the fun times can continue this week at Augusta and has again employed the services of childhood friend and former ISPS HANDA PGA Tour of Australasia Professional Rika Batibasaga to carry his sticks.

While the loss of knowledge from long time caddy now full-time coach PGA Professional Colin Swatton will no doubt be missed, the pair will still benefit from Swatton’s yardage books and knowledge while he watches from outside of the ropes this week. Day says Rika will keep him relaxed on golf’s biggest stage.

“This week we won’t go over the numbers because I know how thorough Colin is with being here, but having Rika on the bag this week, I think hopefully that will make things a little bit more light out there for me and a little bit more fun,” said Day.

“Over the last few years it’s been more of a grind trying to get that win because a lot of people have come up to me and said:  This is your year, this is your year, you’re going to win one.

“And that can add a little bit more pressure.  So hopefully I have my good close buddy out there with me and we can make things a little less stressful and go out there and have fun.”

While his coach won’t be on the bag this year, the onus of his performance will rest more on his own shoulders.

He said he’ll need to take ownership of the week and the removal of an outside opinion could be a bonus come round one.

“I think that to a certain degree you take ownership of your actual golf game, going back with Col, he was great for the 10 years that we had, and he is still my coach,” added Day.

“But to a certain degree I think when you have your coach on the bag, you kind of… not worry but you kind of think, okay, well, he’s going to say something about this shot, so I better not play that shot, you know.

“And it takes a little bit of free will to your game to let things happen. I think that’s what Rika will bring to this week, is a lot of fun and enjoyment.  We’re best buds, so we’ll go out there and enjoy the time.  I think he’s going to be nervous walking down the first hole, but he should be fine.”

Jason Day is joined in the field by three fellow Australians; 2013 Masters Champion Adam Scott, 2017 Greg Norman Medallist Marc Leishman and 2017 Australian PGA Champion Cameron Smith.

The Masters will be broadcast free to air on the Nine Network and ad free on FOX SPORTS Australia dedicated Masters channel.

Check local guides for times.