When Tiger Woods stepped up to the first tee at Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday morning, it marked his 100th round at The Masters. The same cannot be said for his playing partner, Neal Shipley.
It was only his fourth round at the most famous golf event in the world.
Shipley, a senior at Ohio State University, was the only amateur to make the cut this year. In doing so, no matter what his score card looks like come Sunday afternoon, he guaranteed himself a place in Butler Cabin. Making the cut automatically placed him alongside Jack Nicklaus as the only Buckeyes to ever receive the distinct honor of being named as the low-am.
To make the whole thing even cooler, his caddie is one of his best friends!
It has been an unforgettable week for Shipley in Georgia, who played his way into the field as the runner-up at the U.S. Amateur tournament last summer. This was the shot that got him in:
He will continue his final college season on Monday.
Before he does, Neal Shipley got to play 18 holes with Tiger Woods!
They were chatting it up while walking down the first fairway.
Tiger Woods chatting it up with former JMU golfer Neal Shipley as the two walk the second hole at Augusta National during the final round of The Masters.
— Jarvis Haren (@jarvisharen) April 14, 2024
Pretty cool.
H/T 💻 https://t.co/pbmXLq97sI pic.twitter.com/RHxr6C2IOb
Woods has struggled with health issues since his near-fatal car accident in 2021 and faded fast on Saturday. It was the worst single round of his 98 prior rounds at Augusta, but simply finishing 72 holes in four days is an accomplishment in itself. The 48-year-old said that he “hurts every day.”
To get through the weekend, Woods spent countless hours getting in shape to walk four rounds of golf in the weeks leading up to the tournament. The days leading up to the first round on Thursday were meticulously planned to get his body ready for the weekend. Each morning and every night during the tournament was spent getting loose, staying loose, and focused on recovery.
And then there is Shipley— who did not (and does not) know if he would ever get to compete at The Masters ever again after this weekend. He was focused most on enjoying the experience.
While Woods prepared with a rigorous routine, Shipley prepared with an All-Star Special at Waffle House.
That is quite the contrast…
Tiger Woods and Neal Shipley had very different approaches to The Masters. They played the Final Round together on Sunday. Sports are just the best!