MASTERS star Neal Shipley became a meme after awkwardly being asked about an interaction with Tiger Woods on course.

The youngster had a Masters to remember as he finished as the highest-ranked amateur.

He even played his fourth round on Sunday alongside legend Woods, and revealed he received plenty of advice and encouragement from the five-time champion.

Shipley, 22, said he had a “dream week” as he made the cut in his first major and discussed his favourite golf courses with Woods.

But he also endured an awkward moment in his post-round press conference as he was asked about a note Woods allegedly gave him on the eighth fairway.

Shipley paused before denying the claim, saying: “No he didn’t. No that didn’t happen.”

Fans found the interaction amusing as Shipley suddenly appeared slightly nervous, with some suggesting he remained tight-lipped out of loyalty to Woods.

One fan reacted saying: “This answer just got this dude in with Tiger forever…”

Another added: “Translation…. none of your business.”

And a third wrote: “Seems so bizarre.”

Others edited the clip to make the awkward scene even funnier, with one fan joking Shipley has “become a meme.”

To make things even more awkward the press conference was ended as soon as Shipley finished his answer, sparking even more conspiracy theories.

Shipley is a college star from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and in the early stages of his career.

He finished 12 over par to tie for 53rd place, after shooting a final round of 73 – four better than Woods who finished on 16 over.

Shipley qualified for The Masters by finishing second in the 2023 US Amateur.

He has three wins in his amateur career to date.

Those came at the 2022 Western Pennsylvania Open Champion and Pennsylvania Amateur Championship, and the 2024 Southwestern Invitational.

Shipley transfered from James Madison University to Ohio State, where he still studies.

He gained a degree in quantitative finance from James Madison and also has a masters in data analytics from Ohio State.

And he became the first Ohio State Buckeye to win low amateur at the Masters since Jack Nicklaus.