Who is Neal Shipley? Everything you need to know about the rising amateur

Who is Neal Shipley?

Neal Shipley is a name we’ve all become accustomed to over the past few months. But who exactly is the OSU graduate, and what do you need to know about him?

All the key facts about American amateur superstar Neal Shipley…

1. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Shipley was a season ticket holder for the Pittsburgh Steelers as a child.

2. Neal Shipley is the father of Neal Shipley… or is it that Neal Shipley is the son of Neal Shipley?

3. After being inspired by three-time Major Champion, Vijay Singh, winning his final Major at the 2004 PGA Championship, Shipley decided to pick up a set of clubs for the very first time… wise move!

4. Shipley went to Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School, and he was an integral member of the golf team that won its first two state titles in program history.

5. The Steel City native played his first three seasons of college golf at James Madison University, but his first collegiate victory came after he joined Ohio State University. He won his first collegiate golf event as a Buckeye at the 2024 Southwestern Invitational.

6. Although he is an amateur, Shipley has won a professional event. He won the 2022 Western Pennsylvania Open Championship. That same year he won the Pennsylvania Amateur Championship.

7. The amateur days will soon be behind Shipley as he revealed at the US Open that he would be turning pro after the tournament, having earned a tour card through PGA Tour Americas Q-School.

8. Shipley gained qualification into the Masters and the US Open courtesy of finishing runner-up in the 2023 US Amateur at Cherry Hills Country Club. That week he was defeated in the final 4&3 by Nick Dunlap – we all know the impression that young man’s had on the PGA Tour.

9. Shipley won the low amateur award at the 2024 Masters with rounds of 71-76-80-73. He played the Sunday with 15-time Major Champion, Tiger Woods, and even outscored the GOAT in the final round.

10. The 2023-2024 collegiate season was the best of Shipley’s career, he led the team in scoring with a 71.35 average, had a team-high of 12 rounds in the 60s and 22 rounds at par or better, and led the team with 150 birdies over 37 rounds.

11. Shipley was a Ping All-America Honorable Mention in 2023 and 2024.

12. The 6ft 3″ American was awarded with Ohio State University Scholar-Athlete in 2023 and 2024 as well as being an All-Big Ten First Team and Academic All-Big Ten in 2024.

13. Balancing golf with education was certainly of skill of Shipley’s, he has a degree in quantitative finance from JMU and a Masters in data analytics from OSU – he’s now working his way toward another degree.

14. Shipley has used the services of two different caddies at both Major Championships he’s played in this season. At the 2024 Masters, he had longtime friend, Carter Pitcairn on the bag. However, at the US Open, he switched to Ohio State assistant coach, Jimmy Beck.

15. We’ve all seen the Tiger headcovers along with multiple other animals, but have you ever seen an Arby’s curly fries head cover like the one Shipley uses?

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About the author

James Hogg – Golf Equipment Writer

James has a degree in English Language from Newcastle University and an MA in Journalism from Kingston University.

He spent seven years working for American Golf as part of the sales and fitting team alongside his studies and is a specialist in putters, golf balls, and apparel.

James took up golf as a teenager and, thanks largely to his length and consistency off the tee, he plays off a handicap of 4.7 at Cleveland Golf Club.

You can contact James via email for loads more golf equipment insight.