12 Things You Didn't Know About Matthew McClean
We get to know the Northern Irishman McClean a little better with these 12 facts.
12 Things You Didn't Know About Matthew McClean
1. McClean was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland back in 1993.
2. According to Brian Keogh of irishgolfdesk.com, McClean took up golf at between 10 and 11, but soccer and Gaelic football were more important. At 16, McClean took golf more seriously as his game improved.
3. McClean started playing golf at Balmoral Golf Club, where Ireland’s first Major winner, Fred Daly, was attached as the head professional for the last 45 years of his life. Balmoral is also closely associated with three Ryder Cup players in David Feherty, Eddie Polland, and Norman Drew.
4. McClean is a trained optometrist, and he moved to England for three years before returning to Northern Ireland in 2017 to join Malone Golf Club, south of Belfast.
5. McClean toyed with the idea of turning professional and planned on attending DP World Tour qualifying school, but COVID-19 hit in 2020, and he changed his mind.
6. He won the 2022 U.S. Mid-Amateur at Erin Hills in Wisconsin with a 3-and-1 victory over good friend Hugh Foley in the final. With the victory he earned places in the field for both the Masters and the U.S. Open in 2023.
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7. His close friend Stephen Gracey (a three-handicapper) caddied for him at the 2023 Masters. They went to school and University together and played a lot of golf together.
8. McClean attended the University of Ulster.
9. Michael McGee had coached him at Malone Golf Club since he was 12 or 13. For the past few years, he has worked on his short game with Golf Ireland’s National Coach, Neil Manchip (Shane Lowry’s coach).
10. His entire family, mother, Denise; father, Noel; brother, Peter; sister, Eva; girlfriend, Kate, went over for The Masters and stayed in a big house 20 minutes away. On top of his family his regular four-ball from Malone went over, as well as his uncles and some friends and family friends.
11. He played a practice round at The Masters with Shane Lowry, Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood.
12. He has said that his main goal for 2023 is to represent Great Britain & Ireland in the Walker Cup at St Andrews
A golfer for most of his life, Sam is Golf Monthly's E-commerce Editor.
Working with golf gear and equipment over the last six years, Sam has quickly built outstanding knowledge and expertise on golf products ranging from drivers, to balls, to shoes.
He combines this knowledge with a passion for helping golfers get the best gear for them, and as such Sam manages a team of writers that look to deliver the most accurate and informative reviews and buying advice. This takes the form of buying guides, reviews, supporting gear content as well as creating deal content.
This is so the reader can find exactly what they are looking for, at a good price.
Sam now spends most of his time testing and looking after golf gear content for the website, whilst he is also responsible for all content related to golf apparel.
Additionally Sam oversees Golf Monthly voucher/coupon content which seeks to find you the best offers and promotions from well-known brands like Callaway, TaylorMade and many more.
Unfortunately, Sam is not a member of any club at the moment but regularly gets out on the golf course to keep up the facade of having a single-figure handicap.
Sam's What's In The Bag:
Driver: Cobra LTDxLS (9 degrees)
Fairway Wood: Ping G430 Max (15 degrees), Nike Covert Tour 2.0 (19 degrees)
Irons (4-PW): Titleist AP2
Wedges: Titleist Vokey SM7 54˚, 58˚
Putter: Scotty Cameron Phantom X 5.5
Ball: Srixon Z-Star Diamond
Shoes: G/FORE Gallivanter/Nike Air Zoom Victory Tour 3/Cuater The Ringer (For off the course he goes for Nike Jordan 1 Low G shoes as well)
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