Masters low amateur Neal Shipley looks for help after Tiger Woods question in press conference

Masters low amateur Neal Shipley looks for help after Tiger Woods question in press conference

Watch now: Tiger Woods throws ball to lucky fan

Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 15/04/2024

- 08:00

Neal Shipley was the only amateur golfer to make the cut at this year's Masters and he played his final round with Tiger Woods.

Neal Shipley was the only amateur golfer to make the cut at this year's Masters and he played his final round with Tiger Woods.

Neal Shipley was seemingly caught off-guard in his press conference on Sunday after a reporter asked him about a supposed exchange with Tiger Woods during the final round of the Masters.


Woods made history by making the cut at the Masters for the 24th consecutive year in tricky conditions throughout the week.

It was far from a vintage display as the golf icon's ailments were clear for all to see.

Neal Shipley denied the exchange took place

Neal Shipley denied the exchange took place

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But his below-par display also led to an interesting pairing with low amateur Shipley and the two were seen smiling and regularly talking together throughout Sunday's final round.

Shipley, who is a graduate student at Ohio State, finished tied-53rd at 12 over par - four shots ahead of Woods.

However, it was the end of the 23-year-old's press conference on Sunday that caught the attention of many online.

A reporter claimed he saw Woods hand Shipley what appeared to be a note, leading to an awkward exchange.

Shipley then turned to what appeared to be the press conference moderator - seemingly for some guidance - before answering: "He didn't.

The reporter continued: "I thought he wrote something and handed you a piece of paper?"

But Shipley doubled down, adding: "No, no. That didn't happen."

The press conference was then abruptly ended after that exchange, but Shipley had to hang around until the end of the tournament for his low amateur prize.

Tiger Woods was seen conversing with Neal Shipley throughout the round

Tiger Woods was seen conversing with Neal Shipley throughout the round

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As a part of winning the low amateur trophy, Shipley was invited to the Butler Cabin Ceremony where Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley put the green jacket on Scheffler.

He was asked what it was like playing his final round with five-time Masters champion Woods.

Shipley replied: "Very special. It's a day I'm going to cherish forever.

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Neal Shipley finished ahead of Tiger Woods in the leaderboard

Neal Shipley finished ahead of Tiger Woods in the leaderboard

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"He was great to me out there, and to have all the patrons out there rooting both of us on was phenomenal.

He added: "This week is going to be one of the best weeks of my life and something that I remember forever, especially being able to play with Tiger.

"Just the whole week in general, the members were phenomenal all week in hosting us. Thank you, Mr. Ridley, for having a great tournament."

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