Playing with Tiger Woods at the Masters: A Dream Week for Amateur Neal Shipley

If you think playing in the Masters as an amateur couldn’t get any cooler, Neal Shipley might just make you reconsider. The 22-year-old Ohio State Buckeye, who qualified for the Masters as last year’s U.S. Amateur championship runner-up, not only had the opportunity to compete in this prestigious tournament but also finished as the low amateur. As if that wasn’t incredible enough, Shipley’s final round at the Masters was played alongside none other than Tiger Woods himself.

Tiger Woods with amateur Neal Shipley walk and talk on the third hole during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club on April 14, 2024 in Augusta, Georgia.

Shipley described his experience in an episode of the popular golf podcast, “Subpar,” hosted by Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz. He expressed his excitement, saying, “It’s been a dream week for any golfer. Tough to beat.” Shipley’s performance in the tournament may not have been his best, with scores of 80 and 82 in the first two rounds, but being paired with Tiger Woods on Sunday was an unexpected and thrilling turn of events.

The realization that they would be playing together came as a surprise to Shipley and his caddie. It all started when people began texting about their Sunday pairing. Shipley recounted the moment, saying, “We went to the practice facility, and we were just working on some things, and my caddie came over to us and he’s like, ‘Dude, my phone just blew up. We’re playing with Tiger.'” Shipley couldn’t believe it and initially thought someone had made a mistake. However, after checking the scoreboard, he realized that playing with Tiger Woods was indeed a reality. He described it as an awe-inspiring moment.

Prior to the round, there was a concern about Woods’ physical condition, especially after his 82 in the previous round. Shipley admitted, “My second thought was, oh jeez. Like, he shot 82. I really hope he doesn’t withdraw.” Despite this worry, Woods continued to play, much to Shipley’s relief.

Breaking the Ice with Tiger Woods and Impressing Him

Once the round began, Shipley made an effort to break the ice and engage in conversation with Tiger Woods. They didn’t talk much on the first hole, but Shipley took the opportunity on the second hole to bring up Woods’ time at Stanford. Shipley shared, “We didn’t talk much down the first hole, but then on the second hole, I asked him like, ‘Oh, you’re from So Cal, right?’ Like I didn’t know that already.” This led to a discussion about Woods’ experiences at Stanford and helped establish a connection between the two golfers.

Shipley’s skills on the course also caught Woods’ attention. Knost complimented Shipley on a pitch shot he executed on the second hole, describing it as a “disgusting” slice-flop-spinner. Shipley humbly responded, “Yeah, that was one of the top pitch shots I hit all week for sure. It’s such a fun green because you can just be so creative and feed it in in different ways.” He had practiced that shot extensively during his preparation for the tournament, and the opportunity to execute it successfully in front of Tiger Woods was exhilarating. Shipley regretted not sinking the shot, as he was hoping for an explosive response from the crowd, including the iconic Tiger roar. Nevertheless, Knost pointed out that Tiger’s nod of approval was impressive and spoke volumes about Shipley’s ability.

The Masters Experience and Shipley’s Memorable Moment

Shipley’s journey at the Masters was filled with unforgettable experiences and moments. He became a Masters meme, attracting attention from the media and golf fans alike. If you’re curious about what it was like for Shipley to be in the midst of a media circus, be sure to check out the full episode of “Subpar” for more exciting insights.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):

How did Neal Shipley qualify for the Masters?

Neal Shipley qualified for the Masters as the runner-up in the U.S. Amateur championship the previous year.

Was Neal Shipley the low amateur at the Masters?

Yes, Neal Shipley finished as the low amateur in the 2024 Masters Tournament.

Who did Neal Shipley play with in the final round of the Masters?

Neal Shipley had the incredible opportunity to play with Tiger Woods in the final round of the Masters.

How did Neal Shipley impress Tiger Woods?

Neal Shipley caught Tiger Woods’ attention with an impressive pitch shot on the second hole.

What other memorable experiences did Neal Shipley have at the Masters?

Neal Shipley became a Masters meme and garnered attention from the media during the tournament.