Amateur golfing ace Matthew McClean ready to show the world what he can do as he prepares to live his Masters dream

Matthew McClean practises his golf techniques as he prepares to showcase his talents at the US Masters

Steven Beacom

So, what did you get for Christmas? Two days before all the turkey and trimmings, Belfast man Matthew McClean received his official invitation from the Board of Governors of the Augusta National Club to participate at the 2023 Masters.

Some way to end last year, and how’s this for starting a new one? Last week, in preparation for the tournament in April, the amateur golfer played the iconic course for the first time, revealing: “it seemed like every hole, you wanted to get your camera out.” “Did you?” I ask. Smiling, he answers: “Pretty much. I pretty much documented every shot of the round.” Well, you would, wouldn’t you?