EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW MATT MCCLEAN

It’s exciting to watch the Masters... to now play in it is completely mental

- Matt Majendie

THE short-sighted among Belfast residents can be forgiven for not noticing that, until recently, a Masters contender was staring back at their retinas.

If events had played out differently at the US Mid-Amateur Championships last September, Matt McClean would more likely still have his opthalmoscope in hand this week than his driver.

But the Irishman, whose golfing exploits have been noticed by only a small handful of more eagle-eyed patients, instead finds himself teeing off at Augusta from Thursday.

Understandably, the dream of a Green Jacket has been parked, instead the target to make the cut and beat the other six amateurs in the field.

The 29-year-old has lapped it all up since arriving at Augusta on Saturday with a dozen family and friends in tow for what can only be described as a dream come true, one he has had more than six months to ponder.

“It’s impossible to anticipate what it will be like,” he said ahead of the opening round. “It’s so surreal and different to anything I’ve ever played in. I’ll just take it as it is and try to enjoy it and play aggressive golf.”