Ruffels sets his course for success

Fresh off a second place at the Federal Amateur Open, Ruffels will test himself against the best when he lines up in the Australian Masters and Australian Open this month.

Ruffels finished two shots behind Queenslander James Gibellini at the Federal Amateur Open on Sunday. But the teenager is confident his efforts on the tough layout will bode well against US Masters and Australian PGA champion Adam Scott.

Ruffels' dad Ray played Davis Cup tennis for Australia, was ranked world No.26 in singles and won the Australian Open doubles title in 1970. Mum AnnaMaria was ranked as high as No.18 in the world.

But an unfazed Ruffels is choosing a career on the fairways and Golf Australia has granted him wildcard entries to the Masters in Melbourne this week and the Australian Open in Sydney from November 28.

''I'll be a little bit nervous, but I don't mind that. It's a good thing,'' Ruffels said.

''I'm pretty confident that if I play well, that I can compete. I'm 15, but I've got the attitude - experience is a bit overrated. I've been hitting the ball great [in Canberra], I know it's going to be tough but I am confident.''

The Federal Amateur Open has produced some superstar runners-up.

World No.20 Jason Day finished second as a 15-year-old a decade ago and Marc Leishman also came through the ranks.

Ruffels lived in Canberra while his father was the AIS tennis coach, but the family has since moved to Melbourne.

He launched a last-round charge against Gibellini on Sunday, but his two-under-par round wasn't enough for victory.

Gibellini, 24, finished 12th at the same tournament last year and has been on the amateur circuit for six years.

He hopes his two-shot win - the first of his career - is a sign he's ready to turn professional next year.

AT A GLANCE

Federal Amateur Open: 1st James Gibellini (279), 2nd Ryan Ruffels (281), 2nd Geoffrey Drakeford (281).