Optometrist Matthew McClean leads at Augusta National

AUGUSTA, Georgia – Matthew McClean, a 29-year-old trained optometrist, found himself leading the 87th Masters in the early hours of his debut. The Northern Irishman teed off in the second group Thursday alongside Vijay Singh and Scott Stallings and birdied the first and fourth holes. He played his way into the field by winning the 2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur.

There are 16 first-time players in the field of 88, and McClean is one of seven amateurs. McClean plays out of Malone Golf Club in Northern Ireland and works on his short game with Irish national coach Neil Manchip, who also works with 2019 British Open winner Shane Lowry. McClean had originally intended to play more golf, but COVID changed his plans.

McClean, who bogeyed the fifth hole to drop to 1 under, had plans to attend DP World Tour qualifying school until those dreams were derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic. While his immediate goal is to play in the Walker Cup, McClean does still have designs on turning professional.

McClean defeated Hugh Foley in the finals of the Mid-Amateur, a player he traveled to the U.S. with and shared a house with during the championship. When McClean played his first round around Augusta National in January, he played alongside Foley, the man he beat to get into the Masters field.

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