English Shepherd buffs take pleasure in debuting ‘Surreal’ Masters

English newbie Laird Shepherd is eagerly wanting ahead to his debut within the ‘Surreal’ Masters after qualifying in dramatic trend final yr.

The 24-year-old received the 126th Beginner Championship at Nairn in June, making a surprising comeback to defeat fellow England teammate Monty Scocell after falling eight occasions behind after 17 holes within the 36-hole last.

With a spot within the Masters, US Open and US Open at stake, he was nonetheless 4 and 4 behind to play however received all of them earlier than clinching the title on the second extra time gap.

“For some motive I by no means felt like I used to be going to lose and maintain myself alive,” stated Shepherd. “To undergo the second additional gap I could not imagine it.” Sky Sports activities Information in Augusta Nationwide.

Shepherd’s victory was much more exceptional given his battle with again and knee accidents which regularly meant he would spend months with out touching a membership, and he was contemplating going again to school to check for an additional diploma with simply 10 days earlier than the ultimate.

He additionally labored at Tesco’s name middle throughout the lockdown, however has since competed within the Open Championship at Royal St George’s and reduce the Cazoo Basic on the DP World Tour.

The sponsor was enjoying in The Open at Royal St George’s Golf Membership final yr the place he missed the possibility to attain twice.

The Masters’ ‘surreal’ debut is now awaiting Shepherd and also will play within the US Open in June.

“It in all probability will not sink till I set up it on Thursday,” he added. “I have never actually made it this far in my desires as a result of it does not seem like it’ll ever occur. It is so surreal to be right here and I am wanting ahead to it.”

“Somewhat over a yr in the past I used to be working in a name middle in Dundee for Tesco. For the previous three and a half or 4 years I had been affected by accidents and wasn’t actually in a position to play on schedule due to that.

“I used to be beginning to consider doing different issues to be trustworthy, so by way of Covid, it nearly hit me in time as a result of it gave me a while to re-evaluate what I have to do to be wholesome and play with the ability to maintain going and clearly enjoying some golf and enjoying Some respectable golf.”

“You prefer to play with Tiger”

Shepherd will be taught on Tuesday who will play alongside within the first two rounds and though he says he is comfortable to play with anybody, he does have one explicit participant within the type of five-time Masters champion Tiger Woods, who will. Making a ‘match time choice’ on a implausible comeback after touring to the Augusta Nationwide on Sunday.

“Actually, I would take anybody — anybody who performs in that subject is excellent at golf, so it will be enjoyable to be taught from anybody I had the possibility to,” Shepherd stated.

“Clearly you like enjoying with Tiger. To assume, getting older, enjoying now in the identical occasion he is enjoying, in all probability – we’ll see what occurs – it is going to be fairly surreal.

“The man is only a god, he has such an aura and my character has damage points, I’ve needed to watch somebody like him continuously come again and put up troublesome yards to come back and play golf once more which is so inspiring. I owe golf to him a lot.”

Skilled plan after the US Open

After enjoying in The Masters and the US Open as an newbie, Shepherd plans to turn into an expert.

He stated: “I’ll in all probability go professional on Monday after the US Open, the whole lot goes properly. It is one thing I’ve at all times wished to do and these occasions give me a great begin on that journey I feel.

“[I will] Attempt to be taught quite a bit and acquire expertise after which we’ll see what we will do. Simply getting a card for subsequent yr is my aim and go from there.

“I’ve the utmost respect for anybody who performs skilled golf as a result of it is powerful. It means it’s best to take pleasure in issues like this as a result of it may not occur once more. I’ll take pleasure in this week for certain.”

Shepherd twins have a busy week forward

One Shepherd member of the family who will not be on the Augusta Nationwide to look at is his twin brother, Callum, a pioneering flat-rider who’s scheduled to trip in all-weather Thursdays and Fridays.

Jockey Callum Shepherd has 14 winners thus far this yr

“It is totally different than being there however I’ll comply with him as carefully as I can,” Calum Shepherd informed Racing Publish. “For him, being there’s very particular however I hope he can play some good golf.”

“My mother and father go together with some household mates. They rented a home however I am going to keep it up right here on the likes of Redcar [on Monday]. “

What time is The Masters dwell on Sky Sports activities?

What time does grasp’s program protection start? What further feeds can be found? How can I comply with the occasion from Augusta Nationwide? Our information to watching this yr’s Males’s Grand Prix opening dwell on Sky Sports activities Golf.

Monday 4th April

1700-1900 – in direct vary!

1900-2200 – Reside from Masters

Tuesday 5 April

1400-2200 – Reside from Masters

Wednesday 6 April

1400-1900 – Reside from Masters

1900-2230 – Masters: Par-3 Competitors Reside!

Thursday 7 April

1400-1930 – Featured Collections Reside!

1930-0030 – The Masters: One Reside Day!

Pink button (correct timing to be decided) – 1330 within the vary, 1430 holes 4-6, 1545 amen angle, 1645 holes 15-16, 1830 particular teams

Friday April 8

1400-1930 – Featured Collections Reside!

1930-0030 – The Masters: Day Two Reside!

Pink button (correct timing to be decided) – 1330 within the vary, 1430 holes 4-6, 1545 amen angle, 1645 holes 15-16, 1830 particular teams

Saturday ninth April

0900-1200 – Grasp’s Breakfast Reside!

1500-1930 – Accumulation Masters Reside Streaming!

1930-0030 – The Masters: The third day is alive!

Pink button (correct timing to be decided) – 1515 distinct teams, 1530 holes 4-6, 1600 within the vary, 1645 amen angle, 1730 holes 15-16

Sunday 10 April

0900-1200 – Grasp’s Breakfast Reside!

1500-1830 – Masters are piling up dwell!

1830-0030 – The Masters: Fourth Day Reside!

Pink button (correct timing to be decided) – 1515 distinct teams, 1530 holes 4-6, 1600 within the vary, 1645 amen angle, 1730 holes 15-16

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