Neal Shipley’s devil-may-care approach to 18 holes can give the impression that the Ohio State product doesn’t have a competitive temperament, that he’s simply enjoying his walk around the golf course.
For example, while en route to posting the low amateur round during the 2024 Masters, Shipley said repeatedly on “Full Swing” that his pairing with Tiger Woods was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and seemed to be a kid in a candy store while walking around Augusta National. But the final clip of this video from the Netflix show was a subtle reminder of his fire.
” … And I beat him,” Shipley said.
Shipley shined at Masters, U.S. Open
Shipley, who hails from Pittsburgh but transferred to OSU, played one season for the Buckeyes, and gained notoriety by finishing as the low amateur at the 2024 Masters and U.S. Open. And he believes those experiences will help him plenty this week when he competes in the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas.
For his relaxed approach, Shipley has plenty of belief in his ability to compete with the world’s best.
“It’s been massive knowing that I can compete at those biggest stages, so when I come out here, I know that I can beat most of the guys out here. I think that’s something that a lot of young pros don’t get out of college, so really grateful for those two experiences,” he said.
“I think, too, I learned a lot about how when we play really tough golf courses, my golf game is really suited for that. I’m excited for a really tough test this week, where you really have to have all of your game clicking to play well.”
Shipley currently fifth on Korn Ferry Tour
Shipley, who was a recipient of the Champions’ Choice selection, is currently ranked fifth on the Korn Ferry Tour and will earn his 2026 PGA Tour card if he finishes among the developmental tour’s top 20 golfers. He also won his first pro tournament April 20, outlasting Seungtaek Lee in a five-hole playoff at the Korn Ferry Tour’s LECOM SunCoast Classic at Lakewood National Golf Club in Lakewood Ranch, Florida.
He also made the cut in the Valspar Championship in his only other Tour start this year.
And as for the golf course, Shipley is impressed with the Gil Hanse redesign, something that gives all players a chance to compete for the title.
“I think he did a phenomenal job with the golf course. I didn’t get to see it before, but the way it presents right now is amazing. It definitely has a lot of that old-school characteristics with a lot of slopes in the greens even though they’re small,” he said. “I think it plays modern, though, where those slopes aren’t so severe that you can’t pin locations on the green. Hats off it him. Tee to green, it’s phenomenal. Gives you a lot of options off the tee. You don’t have to hit driver everywhere, but you certainly have the option to, which I think is great. If you hit great drives down the middle, it’s going to reward you, but you can hit irons out there. I think that’s reflected by the list of champions we have out here.
“It’s not always the longest players or the bombers. There’s a lot of guys who dinked it around and were able to win here. So there’s a big premium on iron play.”
Read the full article here