At the 2024 Masters, Neal Shipley is the name that everyone is talking about. In addition to making the cut at the esteemed Augusta National, this 22-year-old amateur golfer has stunned the golfing community by landing the low amateur and scoring a final-round pairing with the legendary Tiger Woods. Shipley has come a long way to get here.

Shipley, a graduate student at Ohio State University and former James Madison Duke, has won several championships and placed second in the 2022 Pennsylvania State Amateur competition. The question still stands: who is Neal Shipley, and how did an up-and-coming talent get up on the biggest golf stage?

How did Neal Shipley start admiring golf?

Neal Shipley wasn’t raised in a golf family, but he did grow up with a family that loved the sport. After finishing 36 holes at Augusta National at 3 over and making the cut by three strokes, Shipley remarked on his start in the sport, “Me and my dad were on our couch. And Vijay Singh won. The next day, I took my dad’s golf clubs, which were dusty and probably never used, and started swinging around. I decided to get my own little set, and it took off from there.”

Shipley, a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, got started in golf at an early age. He was a member of the Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School squad that won its first two state titles in program history. After finishing third the year before, Shipley’s early success on the junior circuit continued when he won the 2019 Western Pennsylvania Junior Championship on the third playoff hole.

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Shipley played for James Madison University for three seasons after high school, where he was an academic and athletic standout. In just three years, he finished his degree in quantitative finance. In his three years at JMU, he had a career stroke average of 72.93, including a 72.41 in 2021-22, the eighth-lowest in school history. The 22-year-old led the team with 103 birdies, which was also the sixth-most in a season at JMU.

Shipley’s golf prowess in college

In 2022, Shipley decided to move as a graduate student to Ohio State University in search of fresh challenges. For the young golfer, the move has been a game-changer, as he has thrived under the direction of the Buckeyes’ coaching staff and the program’s competitive atmosphere.

Shipley’s breakout run occurred in the summer of 2023. He had an incredible run that included four runner-up positions and a third-place showing at the Pacific Coast Amateur, which helped him finish fourth in the Elite Amateur Series rankings. His success at the 123rd U.S. Amateur title, where he advanced to the title match, solidified his reputation as a rising talent. His second-place finish, becoming runner-up to Nick Dunlap, is what qualified the young star to make his appearance at Augusta this year.

Neal Shipley’s personal life

In addition to his remarkable accomplishments in golf, Shipley is renowned for his charming nature and contagious energy. With his tough temperament and long, flowing hair, the 6-foot-3 golfer has a larger-than-life appearance that has won over golf fans across the country.

Shipley’s parents, Neal and Susie Shipley, are part of a close-knit support system. Even though they “weren’t country club people,” his father described how the family joined St. Clair Country Club to provide Shipley with a place to play. The older Shipley has been a pillar of strength for his son, sharing a moment with him before the Masters and crying tears of pride over his achievements.

Carter Pitcairn, a sophomore on the Wisconsin golf team and Shipley’s childhood closest friend has carried his bag at several major tournaments, such as the U.S. Amateur and the Masters. Since high school, the two have been best friends, spending endless hours together in the van while connecting over their shared passion for fly fishing and country music.

Shipley works closely with Ohio State head coach Jay Moseley. He has played a significant role in Shipley’s growth and has also helped in navigating the program’s competitive atmosphere. Shipley has shown himself among a talented group of players in the Buckeyes program.

The entire golf community is watching Neal Shipley closely as he pursues his goal of becoming the best amateur player in the world. With the unwavering support of his family, friends, and coaches, there is no doubt that this young Pennsylvanian is destined to leave a lasting legacy on the sport in the years to come due to his exceptional talent, unrelenting determination, and fascinating personality.

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