- Neil Shipley was the only amateur to make the cut in this year’s tournament.
- The 22-year-old tied for 53rd place with a 12-over 300, winning the Silver Cup on Sunday.
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Footage of Neal Shipley, Tiger Woods’ amateur playing partner at the Masters, has gone viral after he awkwardly shut down a question about the golf legend by handing him a note during his final round at August National.
Speaking to reporters after his final round at the Major on Sunday, Shipley, who shot a 1-over 73 to win the Silver Cup, was brief when asked about one of the interactions with the five-time Masters champion.
‘Neal, I saw on a street…a street…he wrote something and gave you a note, what was that about?’ the journalist asked, referring to Woods.
Immediately, Shipley, who was the only amateur to make the cut in the tournament, clarified: “No, he didn’t.”
‘I thought he had written something and he handed you a piece of paper.’ Then the journalist responded. ‘No, no, that didn’t happen…’ Shipley said once more before the press conference ended abruptly.
Neal Shipley was brief when asked about a certain interaction with Tiger Woods on Sunday.
The 22-year-old fan described Woods as a “normal guy” who thought he was “really cool.”
On Saturday, the amateur was feeling pretty discouraged on the practice range after shooting a third-round 80. Then came the ultimate pick-me-up.
Shipley’s caddy and good friend, Carter Pitcairn, approached him Saturday night and excitedly asked, “Hey, guess who they’re pairing us with tomorrow?” The Ohio State player knew it right away and responded: ‘No way. Is it Tiger?!’
Talk about the luck of the draw. It was the perfect ending to what Shipley called a “dream week.”
Shipley found out he was paired with Woods on Saturday after shooting an 80 in the third round.
“I think I have to win one of these things to get to the top this week,” said the 22-year-old 2023 US Amateur runner-up, pointing to a green jacket.
Shipley tied for 53rd with a 12-over 300 at Augusta, but left with some incredible memories.
‘Being there with Tiger, we were chatting. We talk a lot just about golf,” Shipley said. “He’s a really normal guy and really cool. He was great to me all day. I couldn’t be more grateful that he was amazing today, and it was really cool to be around him and the attention he gets and the roars.
“The crowd was phenomenal.”