As if you needed any further proof of how committed Tiger Woods was at the Masters

As if you needed any further proof of how committed Tiger Woods was at the Masters, Neal Shipley, the low amateur and Woods’s playing mate for the final round, offered some glimpse into the latter’s preparation. 3.45 am alarm. Practice rounds. Swing analysis with Charlie Woods. Just some of what the former world no. 1 went through ahead of the final round.

Shipley, who shot 1-over on Sunday, four shots better than his 48-year-old playing mate, was filled with gratitude after the round. “Certainly rooting for him [Tiger Woods] and rooting for good golf shots. He was awesome. Wish him nothing but the best. I really appreciate all the work that he does to keep his body ready to come out here. He told me that he woke up at like 3:45 this morning just to get ready for the day, which is—I got about three hours more sleep than him.“

This offers a sharp contrast to the incessant chatter on social media that Woods is simply coming on the greens for fun without any serious preparation. The noise grew only louder yesterday, after his worst round at the Masters. Woods shot 10-over 82 on the Moving Day, dotted with eight bogeys and two double-bogeys.

On Friday, Woods had an adhesive pain patch on his back and was spotted rubbing an icy, hot-like balm on his torso. The five-time Masters champion played 23 holes in a long day. Shipley added, “He’s really grinding and making a big commitment to be out here for everyone. It’s awesome to see the patrons really appreciative of him and really enjoy having him out here.” Curiously enough, Woods allegedly handed a note to the low amateur, although Shipley denied it in the press conference.

Did Tiger Woods and Neal Shipley violate the Masters rules?

Per Augusta National Rules, players are not allowed to exchange notes with fellow competitors. Rule 10.2 states that a player cannot seek or offer advice to a fellow competitor. Players are not allowed to touch other players’s equipment as well.

Apparently, Woods handed Shipley a note, as a reporter pointed out during the media interaction. But the Ohio State University product denied anything like that has happened on the par-5, 8th hole. Shipley made a birdie on Yellow Jasmine, while Woods made par. Pressed on the matter further, the 23-year-old said in the post-round media interaction, “No, no. That didn’t happen.”

Brooks Koepka’s caddie was at the center of the controversy after a clip caught him, allegedly, mouthing the word ‘five’ (5-iron) to Gary Woodland’s caddie. Augusta National didn’t penalize any of them as there was no conclusive evidence, and Koepka dismissed the controversy this year as well. Tiger Woods, in his post-round presser, wasn’t asked about the matter.