Matt McClean might not be the first name that comes to mind as the golfing world tunes in to Augusta National for one of the most special weeks on the sport's calendar.
The mid-amateur’s name is nevertheless featured on this week’s start list at the Masters alongside the biggest stars in the world of golf.
The 29-year-old optometrist from Northern Ireland had an impressive season in the amateur ranks in 2022. His year included top-10s in The Amateur Championship and Lytham Trophy, and Top-5 finishes in the Brabazon Trophy and Irish Men’s Amateur Open.
Matt McClean during a practice round at Augusta National - Photo rights: @Irish_Open
The performances earned McClean a spot on the Great Britain & Ireland St Andrews Trophy team where he would contribute two victories from his three matches to help GB&I reclaim the trophy from the Continent of Europe.
However the highlight of his season would come at the U.S. Mid-Amateur Championship in September. The Northern Irishman defeated good friend, and roommate for the week, Hugh Foley in the 36-hole final at Erin Hills to secure the biggest win of his career and a list of unique invites for 2023.
Matt McClean with the US Mid-Amateur Trophy - Photo rights: USGA
Not only did the win earn him an exemption to the 2023 U.S. Open, but he's also one of just seven amateur players invited to compete in the Masters this week.
“I can remember the feeling, it comes back to my mind pretty quickly.” said McClean about his U.S. Mid-Amateur win.
“I had been trying hard for the last couple of years to win a championship and I had come close a couple of times. I had a couple of really frustrating finishes not to win one. Just to cap off the last tournament of the year with winning a championship was a massive one.
“And then thinking about what you get and the prizes with it, was pretty overwhelming at the time. I didn’t really have too many words to say on the 17th green when we finished.
“I didn’t say a huge amount for a few minutes after, just trying to not show too much emotion.”
Trying to handle the emotion of the coming week will be another huge challenge for McClean. The 29-year-old has already been able enjoy some special traditions that come with an invitation to the Masters, including a stay in the Crow’s Nest and being invited to the Masters’ amateur dinner.
The 2023 Amateur dinner at the Masters - Photo rights: Augusta National/ The Masters
His unlikely journey is a real-life fairy tale and one he is desperate to make the most of.
"It will be something I'll never experience again, the first Masters, and it could be the last, so it is just trying to enjoy this experience that very few people get to live out."
“Can you go out and win it? Realistically, no. I don’t think there is any point in saying I can win, you have to live in reality,” said McClean.
“That’s not the goal for the week. There are six or seven amateurs playing. The goal is make the cut, to be there for the Saturday and Sunday. And then what comes with that is trying to win the low amateur. That’s my tournament.”
McClean will tee off in the second group on Thursday morning at 8:12AM local time alongside the 2000 Masters champion, Vijay Singh, and Scott Stallings.
QUOTES: Golf Ireland/ Daragh Small/ BBC Sport