Neal Shipley is now not an novice golfer however formally knowledgeable. He made his PGA Tour Americas begin final week at The Beachlands Victoria Open and completed T9.
Shipley obtained a sponsorship exemption into the Rocket Mortgage Basic to make his first PGA Tour begin as knowledgeable. He’s no stranger to the PGA Tour, although, as he took the world by storm at The Masters and U.S. Open.
The previous Ohio State Buckeye completed low novice at each majors, turning into the second participant within the final 25 years to realize this feat. Viktor Hovland was the opposite participant to do it in 2019.
Friday at Detroit Golf Membership noticed him card a 4-under 68 to comply with his Thursday 5-under 67 rating. He sits at 9-under whole and 4 pictures behind the chief, Akshay Bhatia. Regardless of being a brand new child on the block, Shipley doesn’t think about it.
“With my expertise with the majors, I don’t really feel like there’s an enormous studying curve for me,” Shipley stated.
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Photograph by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR through Getty Pictures
“Fairly lucky to have had two nice experiences at Augusta and Pinehurst. I have been within the combine at each at sure occasions all through the week, so I really feel comfy. I had a fantastic week final week as knowledgeable as properly. So getting settled in and taking part in good golf, and good golf travels irrespective of in the event you’re an novice or knowledgeable.”
He started his day with a bogey on the par-4 2nd however rebounded and put collectively a strong spherical. Shipley recorded two extra birdies on the entrance, then three extra on the again 9 as he got here house in 33 strokes.
In six rounds to start out his skilled profession, Neal Shipley has already made 42 birdies and an eagle. He’s at present tied for seventh at 9-under after 36 holes on the PGA Tour’s Rocket Mortgage Basic, which suggests he’ll make the lower for a 3rd time towards PGA Tour gamers
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) June 28, 2024
The 23-year-old is No. 4 in strokes gained strategy to the inexperienced, selecting up +4.296 pictures. He’s additionally T10 in strokes gained whole at +5.970.
“Had first two days thus far. Performed regular golf as we speak, which I used to be fairly completely happy about,” he stated. “Hope to maintain that up within the weekend and perhaps even go a bit bit decrease. Throw in a low spherical tomorrow, and we’ll be proper within the combine.”
Shipley sits in a great place heading into Saturday and the remainder of the weekend. His PGA Tour journey doesn’t cease in Detroit, as he may even play in subsequent week’s John Deere Basic.
Savannah Leigh Richardson is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. For extra golf protection, comply with us @_PlayingThrough on all main social platforms. It’s also possible to comply with her on Twitter @SportsGirlSL and Instagram @savannah_leigh_sports.