Optometrist and amateur golfer Matthew McClean competed at the Masters, one of golf’s four major tournaments, which was held April 6-9 at the Augusta National Golf Club in Georgia, US.
The 29-year-old was one of only seven amateurs in a field of 87 players after qualifying for the event by winning the US Mid-Amateur Championships in September 2022, and was briefly top of the leaderboard before he ultimately failed to make the cut for the final two rounds.
McClean studied optometry at Ulster University and currently combines playing golf in spring and summer with working during the winter as a locum at several optical practices in Belfast.
Despite enjoying a taste of elite competition, McClean remained undecided as to whether he would be leaving optometry behind in favour of a professional golf career.
‘Maybe, maybe not,’ said McClean. ‘As I keep on saying, it’s only one week, but the weeks do tend to add up depending on how you’re playing and I’m feeling pretty good with my game. It’s a good step towards the overall year and thinking what I’m going to do for the rest of the year and how I want to approach it.’
