Scott Gregory will never forget his visit to Jack’s place for the rest of his golfing career - despite the disappointment of missing the cut on his debut on the PGA Tour in America.

The scorecard read that the current British Amateur champion shot 76, 72 – four-over par for 36 holes – one too many to make the cut in just his fourth appearance in a top professional event.

That was after he received an invite from the legendary Jack Nicklaus to play in the Memorial Tournament, in his hometown in Ohio.

But while that was disappointing for the 22-year-old Corhampton ace, the week spent at Muirfield Village – the club synonymous with the legendary Nicklaus – will live long in the memory.

Gregory tweeted: “Gutted to miss the cut by one but plenty learned. The time I got to spend with Mr Nicklaus is something I will treasure forever.”

Although playing as an amateur, Gregory is quickly learning all there is to know about playing on tour on both sides of the Atlantic - having made his debut in The Open at Troon, last summer, and at The Masters in April.

Now he has started his preparations for next week’s US Open debut at Erin Hills.

Talking about Nicklaus, Gregory said: “We managed to arrange to meet up before the tournament for a couple of hours.

“We were just talking and I asked him questions and we had a very good chat about lots of things.”

The chance to pick the brains of the Golden Bear, who holds the record of 18 Major victories – and a colossal 19 runners-up in golf’s big four tournaments between 1962 and 1986 – is something no sane golfer of any level would pass up.

Gregory added: “Speaking to Jack was inspirational. It changed the way I prepared for this tournament, I was definitely more sensible out on the golf course.

“We had a great conversation about his career, his preparations and how he coped with pressure and winning all of those tournaments.

“It was incredible and I used a lot of the things he told me this week – and for the most part they worked.

“It was one of those things not many people get to do.

“If you see him in the clubhouse, he just comes up and says, ‘Hi’ how are you doing? It is incredible.

“You would never know he has achieved what he has done in golf if you met him, and did not know who he was.

“He is just a real quality, nice guy.”

Scott, who dropped five shots in his first seven holes, also reflected on his performance saying: “I don't mind admitting I was nervous. I hit some shaky shots at the start of the first round that cost me making the cut.

“However, for my last 29 holes I was one-under par - so that shows I have what I need to compete.”