- Neil Shipley was the only amateur to qualify for this year’s tournament.
- The 22-year-old finished tied for 53rd with a score of 12 out of 300, winning the Silver Cup on Sunday.
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Footage of Neal Shipley – Tiger Woods’ amateur playing partner at the Masters – went viral after he awkwardly answered a question about the golf legend handing him a note during their 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 his interactions with the five-time champion of the Masters.
“Neal, I saw on a fairway…a fairway…he wrote something and handed you a note, what was it about?” » asked the reporter, referring to Woods.
From the outset, Shipley, who was the only amateur to qualify from the tournament, clarified: “No, he didn’t.”
“I thought he wrote something and handed you a piece of paper?” then the journalist responded. “No, no, that didn’t happen…” Shipley said one more time 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 he thought was “really cool.”
On Saturday, the amateur was feeling rather disappointed on the practice range after shooting a third round of 80. Then came the final pick-me-up.
Shipley’s cadet and good friend, Carter Pitcairn, came over Saturday night and excitedly asked, “Hey, guess who we’re going to be paired with tomorrow?” The Ohio State player knew right away and replied, “No way. Is it Tiger?!’
Talk about the luck of the draw. It was the perfect end to what Shipley called a “dream week.”
Shipley learned he was matched with Woods on Saturday after shooting an 80 in the third round.
“I think I have to win one of these things to be at the top this week,” said the 22-year-old, a 2023 US Amateur finalist, gesturing to a green jacket.
Shipley finished tied for 53rd with 12-over 300 at Augusta, but he came away with some incredible memories.
“Being there with Tiger, we were chatting. We talked a lot just about golf,” Shipley said. “He’s such a normal guy and really cool. He was great to me all day. I couldn’t be more grateful that he was great today, and it was really really cool to be with him and just the attention he gets and the roars.
“The crowd was phenomenal.”
