Neal Shipley, TGL alternate, makes league history with first hole-in-one

PALM BEACH GARDENS – Neal Shipley showed Monday night experience isn’t required in the TGL.

Playing in his maiden match, Shipley made the first hole-in-one in TGL history, hitting a 54-degree sand wedge from 110 yards on the fifth hole — the shortest hole in league history — aptly named Straight Up.

The celebration lasted longer than the shot, with teammates Min Woo Lee and Luke Clanton jumping on Shipley’s broad shoulders after he tossed his wedge in the air at SoFi Center

“I aimed it a little right, and I tugged it a little. I went a little bananas. So cool,” said Shipley, a PGA Tour rookie who was runner-up in the 2023 U.S. Amateur and low amateur in the following year’s Masters and U.S. Open. “Luke called it.”

Yes, he did. As Shipley was walking to the tee, Clanton said, “We need a hole-in-one here. Please … please.”

Shipley’s ace helped The Bay Golf Club (1-2) take a 4-0 lead over the Los Angeles Golf Club (1-2). Shipley finished off the night with a 16-foot birdie on the 14th hole to clinch a 9-5 victory. LA’s squad of Tony Finau – who started the night with a dance – Tommy Fleetwood and Sahith Theegala couldn’t overcome Shipley’s early, and late, heroics.

More historic shots: Justin Rose cards TGL’s first albatross

“So used to playing for yourself, so it’s great to celebrate with your teammates,” Shipley said.

“These guys brought the energy, which we needed,” Lee said.

It’s easy to see why Clanton and Shipley were the latest alternates to show up at TGL. Playing in the tech-infused indoor league has translated well onto the PGA Tour.

Very well.

Three of the four PGA Tour winners this season played in TGL matches before lifting their trophies. Chris Gotterup of the Atlanta Drive won the Sony Open and the WM Phoenix Open, while Justin Rose of New York was a runaway winner in the Farmers Insurance Open.

Michael Thorbjornsen should have joined the winner’s list if he didn’t make bogeys on the 16^th and 17^th holes Sunday, finishing a shot behind Gotterup. Thorbjornsen was a star while making his TGL debut this year for Boston Common; he’s the only player in the league’s 1 ½-year history to make four putts of more than 10 feet in a match while leading Boston to its first two wins.

It’s not surprising TGL players have enjoyed success on the PGA Tour – their pedigree is why they were originally part of the 24-man league roster. But Gotterup and Thorbjornsen were added as alternates because many of the players on the original roster haven’t played this year due to injuries and scheduling conflicts.

Gotterup is certain his time with the indoor league, with the simulated screen and the faux putting green, came in handy when he was in contention down the stretch.

SCOTTSDALE, ARIZONA – FEBRUARY 07: Neal Shipley of the United States plays a shot on the 11th hole during the third round of the WM Phoenix Open 2026 at TPC Scottsdale on February 07, 2026 in Scottsdale, Arizona. (Photo by Alex Goodlett/Getty Images)

“There’s no doubt about it,” Gotterup, who leads the FedExCup points race, said last week. “Even when we’re practicing in money games at home, it’s hard to recreate the type of energy in your body that you have to hit a good shot when it matters.

“Luckily, the first two matches were before the season and I got to feel a little adrenaline, and it definitely helped me coming down the stretch at Sony. I think it’s nothing but helpful being in here.”

Overall, TGL players have posted top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour in 6-of-26 starts this year. Matt Fitzpatrick is 2-of-2.

There’s another key reason why Clanton and Shipley were playing Monday night – they’re not in the PGA Tour’s Signature events the next two weeks, or the two events after the Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches. (Both will play at PGA National.)

Can’t make money if you’re not swinging a club.

Question is, is the TGL being hurt by not having enough of their stars playing in the 15 regular-season matches? During its inaugural season, TGL had only two alternates.

Shipley and Clanton matched that total Monday night. Gotterup, Thorbjornsen, Tony Finau and Corey Conners also have been alternates this season.

It hasn’t helped that co-founder Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas have been sidelined with back injuries. But original TGL members Hideki Matsuyana, Adam Scott and Tom Kim have yet to play this season.

Does this water down the product?

Not Monday night. Shipley’s ace, on the 261st par-3 played in league history, lit up the SoFi Center.

“There’s so much energy,” Shipley said. “It’s electric in here.”

And he provided much of the wattage.

“Unbelievable moment with that hole in one,” said Fleetwood, who was on the receiving end of Shipley’s highlights. “Great moments at the right time. Don’t mind losing to that.”

Clanton also contributed with a birdie to win the third hole and an eagle to win two points on the 10th hole to extend the lead to 7-3.

After L.A. cut the lead to 7-5, Shipley finished off the night with his birdie at 14 to beat Fleetwood. The TGL rookies did well.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Neal Shipley makes TGL history with first hole-in-one

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