Alan Shearer almost played at the Masters before cruel twist of bad luck

is no stranger to the big stage. The Englishman remains the record holder for the most goals in history, having also featured at several European Championships and World Cups for the Three Lions.

But had things worked out differently for the Newcastle United and Blackburn Rovers legend, he would have been able to add golfer at the to his CV too.

Explaining the sliding doors moment that almost saw him tee up on the par-three 16th hole at Augusta National, the 54-year-old told Betfair: "Augusta National is one of the few [golf] courses I haven't played at.

"One year I went there and Lee Westwood offered me the chance to caddie for him on the par 3 contest but for whatever reason, someone came to me a couple of days before and said 'Look, I'm really sorry but he has to give it to his now-wife'. So she did it for him but he said I could do it the following year.

"Lee said to me on the Tuesday at the BBQ, 'Are you all ready for tomorrow? I'll meet you at 12pm at the caddie shack,' and I said, 'yeah, absolutely, so excited I can't wait' He then said 'well get ready because you're going to take a couple of shots, particularly on the last par 3.'

"I was thinking this is amazing. So, I met him, put the overalls on, the green hat and we went to hit a few balls on the driving range. I even picked up the wrong make of balls for him.

"We had a 1pm tee time and at about 12:40, I picked his bag up and we were walking to the first tee. There was the biggest clash of thunder and lightning ever and the klaxon went so play was suspended for the rest of the day.

"I was lucky enough to go but unlucky that I didn't get to caddie for him. It's the only time in Masters history that the Par 3 has been cancelled. It's the one golf course I have to play at before I go."

Masters golf returns to Augusta this weekend for the 2025 edition of the major. Reigning champion Scottie Scheffler will return to defend his crown as the bookies' favourite, with the in-form Rory McIlroy also tipped to compete for the green jacket.