Australian amateurs Kelsey Bennett and Cassie Porter must be pinching themselves at the moment.

Fresh off a runner-up (Bennett) and tenth place finish (Porter) at the Women’s Amateur Asia-Pacific Championship in Abu Dhabi last week, the duo are now rubbing shoulders with major champions Hannah Green and Karrie Webb in Florida.

Bennett and Porter, along with Australian professional Karis Davidson, played a round with Webb at Audubon Country Club today and they watched in awe as Australia’s greatest major champion went about her business.

On her Instagram, Webb insisted that she was “schooled by the youngsters”, but the up-and-comers were definitely taking on the role of the students watching and learning from the master.

“It was such a great day,” an ecstatic Bennett said.

Soaking up invaluable experiences is Bennett and Porter’s theme for the week ahead as the next item on their itinerary is time with Green at the LPGA Tour’s CME Group Tour Championship.

“It will be great to catch up with them,” Green said.

“Unfortunately there’s been lots of border closures in Australia and it’s been hard for them to play tournaments and it’s almost set them back a year and a half from wanting to turn professional.”

The West Australian is hopeful that watching the likes of Minjee Lee, Steph Kyriacou, Su Oh and herself play sensational golf has driven Bennett, Porter and other young Australians in the absence of regular competitive golf at home during the pandemic.

However, attending a big tournament in person should serve as a greater motivator.

“I hope it’s inspiring for them and they want to come out and play with us,” Green said.

The 24-year-old is following in the footsteps of her idol by taking the nation’s young talents under her wing.

Webb has been very generous with her time towards Green and other Australians over the years, whether it be to discuss their golf game or to relax with an Australian BBQ when they are missing home.

Now the baton has not been relinquished, but it is being carried by many, and Australia’s most promising players are the beneficiaries.