After finishing amateur career in style, Neal Shipley ready for next golf chapter

Just because Neal Shipley missed the 124th Western Pennsylvania Golf Association’s Amateur Championship, an event he was scheduled to compete in, doesn’t mean he wasn’t aware of the outcome.

No, Shipley called his good friend Nathan Piatt after learning the Upper St. Clair native won Tuesday.

“Nathan and I have played a ton of times since we were 11 or 12 at St. Clair (Country Club),” Shipley said by phone from Victoria, British Columbia, after completing a practice round for the Beachlands Victoria Open, his first official golf tournament as a professional. “I’m so proud of him.”

Shipley, 23, is a resident of Mt. Lebanon and a 2019 graduate of Central Catholic. He began his collegiate career at James Madison and graduated in three years. Then, he transferred to Ohio State, where he earned a master’s degree.

He just became the sixth golfer and first since 2019 to finish as the low amateur at The Masters and U.S. Open in the same year.

Shipley tied for 26th at 6-over-par 286 at the U.S. Open after he shot 2-over 72 during his final round at the difficult Pinehurst No. 2 course.

During the last weekend of March, Shipley played in his first Masters, finished as the low amateur, met and played with a lot of golf greats and played the final round with legendary golfer Tiger Woods at Augusta National.

Shipley shot 1-under 71 during Round 1 and 4-over 76 in Round 2 to qualify for the final two rounds. He had an 80 on Saturday and came back to shoot 1-over 73 on Sunday. He finished tied for 53rd at 12-over.

Shipley found himself in Butler’s Cabin being interviewed by Jim Nance and watching the green jacket ceremony in which 2023 champion Jon Rahm presented Scottie Scheffler his second jacket.

“It was special playing with Tiger,” Shipley said. “It was a day I will cherish forever.”

For being the low amateur, Shipley was awarded the coveted Silver Cup.

The others who finished as low amateurs at The Masters and U.S. Open were Ken Venturi, Jack Nicklaus, Matt Kuchar, Phil Mickelson and Victor Hovland.

“It’s funny. I haven’t had time to let it sink in,” Shipley said. “It’s neat that I joined that group, but now I have to focus on my next step.”

Shipley had to withdraw from the WPGA Amateur Championship so he could travel to Canada to compete in his first PGA Tour Americas event, which begins Thursday. He qualified for the tour two weeks ago. His tee time is 4:10 p.m.

In Canada and around Pittsburgh, Shipley has become sort of a rock star.

“I have people coming up and asking for my autograph,” Shipley said. “And I’ve heard from my former Western Pennsylvania amateur opponents wishing me luck.

“What I did was a perfect way to cap off my amateur career. I proved my game can match up against some of the best out here. But I also know I have to continue to get better every day. I’m really happy with the career I’ve had as an amateur.”

And he’s hoping what he did at The Masters and U.S. Open can open some doors for some sponsor exemptions at some PGA events. He said nothing is imminent.

Shipley had to overcome a penalty assessed during the third round of the U.S. Open. After placing the ball on the green, he addressed the ball and got ready to putt. After he placed his putter behind the ball, the ball moved slightly, and USGA officials ruled his actions caused the ball to move.

“I didn’t think I caused the ball to roll back, but the USGA officials did,” Shipley said. “It kind of stopped my momentum.”

It didn’t prevent him from shooting a 72 during the final round, enabling him to finish as low amateur.

Some of his friends in the WPGA Amateur were hoping to face him this week, but they understand why he didn’t compete.

“He’s got bigger and better things ahead for him,” future West Virginia golfer Nick Turowski said. “Sure it would have been nice to say I competed against him. That will have to wait.”

Darin Kowalski said Shipley should be an inspiration to others in the area.

“I hope I inspire all the young golfers,” Shipley said. “I hope I showed them that anything is possible, and I hope I can continue to do it. You just have to trust your game and continue to work hard.”