Brett Ludwiczak
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Ohio State golfer Neal Shipley tees it up in the Rocket Mortgage Classic
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
This week’s tournament in Detroit will be Shipley’s first PGA Tour event as a professional.
Former Ohio State golfer Neal Shipley is now officially a professional. Two weeks ago Shipley played in the U.S. Open as an amateur, battling Florida State’s Luke Clanton for the low amateur crown. The two amateurs entered the final round sitting at +4 and were paired together, becoming just the second pair of amateurs in the last 40 years to play a U.S. Open Sunday round together.
Shipley was a little better on Sunday at Pinehurst, finishing two shots ahead of the Seminole, adding the U.S. Open low amateur accomplishment to his low amateur honors from the Masters back in April. Shipley became the first golfer to achieve the feat since Viktor Hovland in 2019, and sixth golfer overall to be the low amateur at both the Masters and U.S. Open. Among those double low amateurs is fellow Buckeye Jack Nicklaus.
On Thursday, Shipley will tee off in his first big boy PGA Tour event as a professional. The Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit. While this will be Shipley’s first PGA Tour start as a pro, it won’t be his first event as a professional. Last week Shipley played in the Beachlands Victoria Open in British Columbia, which was the first tournament of the 10-event North American Swing of the inaugural season of the PGA Tour Americas. 10 players from the PGA Tour Americas will earn Korn Ferry membership for the 2025 season.
After opening up last week’s tournament with a 66 on the par-70 course, Shipley would go on to shoot three more rounds in the 60s to finish in a tie ninth place at -15, six shots behind winner Frederik Kjettrup. Shipley’s best round of the tournament came on Saturday when he shot a 64 in the third round.
In his first tournament as a professional, Shipley certainly impressed and showed he has the tools to be a contender for the Fortinet Cup. Because Shipley will be playing in Detroit at the Rocket Mortgage Classic this week, the next time he could compete in the PGA Tour Americas is in the Explore NB Open in Fredericton, New Brunswick which will be played July 11-14.
Prior to Monday night’s MLB game between the Phillies and Tigers, Shipley threw out the first pitch in Detroit. The event was another memory Shipley will never forget in an outstanding first half of 2024. Between his low amateur honors, helping Ohio State make some noise in the NCAA Championships, and turning professional, the Buckeye golfer is hoping the second half of the year is just exciting. Monday’s first pitch also marked the second “Tiger sighting” for Shipley, as he played the final round of the Masters with legendary golfer Tiger Woods.
Shipley’s first round of the tournament will begin today at 2:00 p.m. ET on the 10th hole of Detroit Golf Club. Playing with Shipley during the first two rounds of the tournament will be Adrien Dumont de Classart and Michael Thorbjornsen. This will be the sixth Rocket Mortgage Classic, with the first being played in 2019.
Rickie Fowler is the defending champion after defeating Adam Hadwin and Collin Morikawa in a playoff last year. Fowler joined notable winners Tony Finau, Cameron Smith, and U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau.
Along with Shipley, another notable golfer in the field will be amateur Miles Russell, who is just 15 years old. Russell has already made the cut at a Korn Ferry Tour event this year, and was offered a sponsor’s exemption to play this week’s tournament in Detroit. The funniest thing about Russell’s inclusion in this week’s tournament is there is a rule at the Detroit Golf Club that you have to be at least 16 years old to use the locker room at the course.
Who knows, maybe Ohio State will be in the mix for the young golfer from Florida when it comes time for Russell to pick a college to attend!
Continue reading...
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images
This week’s tournament in Detroit will be Shipley’s first PGA Tour event as a professional.
Former Ohio State golfer Neal Shipley is now officially a professional. Two weeks ago Shipley played in the U.S. Open as an amateur, battling Florida State’s Luke Clanton for the low amateur crown. The two amateurs entered the final round sitting at +4 and were paired together, becoming just the second pair of amateurs in the last 40 years to play a U.S. Open Sunday round together.
Shipley was a little better on Sunday at Pinehurst, finishing two shots ahead of the Seminole, adding the U.S. Open low amateur accomplishment to his low amateur honors from the Masters back in April. Shipley became the first golfer to achieve the feat since Viktor Hovland in 2019, and sixth golfer overall to be the low amateur at both the Masters and U.S. Open. Among those double low amateurs is fellow Buckeye Jack Nicklaus.
On Thursday, Shipley will tee off in his first big boy PGA Tour event as a professional. The Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit. While this will be Shipley’s first PGA Tour start as a pro, it won’t be his first event as a professional. Last week Shipley played in the Beachlands Victoria Open in British Columbia, which was the first tournament of the 10-event North American Swing of the inaugural season of the PGA Tour Americas. 10 players from the PGA Tour Americas will earn Korn Ferry membership for the 2025 season.
After opening up last week’s tournament with a 66 on the par-70 course, Shipley would go on to shoot three more rounds in the 60s to finish in a tie ninth place at -15, six shots behind winner Frederik Kjettrup. Shipley’s best round of the tournament came on Saturday when he shot a 64 in the third round.
In his first tournament as a professional, Shipley certainly impressed and showed he has the tools to be a contender for the Fortinet Cup. Because Shipley will be playing in Detroit at the Rocket Mortgage Classic this week, the next time he could compete in the PGA Tour Americas is in the Explore NB Open in Fredericton, New Brunswick which will be played July 11-14.
Two weeks ago: Low am honors @USOpenGolf
Last week: T9 on @PGATOURAmericas
Monday: First pitch at @Tigers game
This week: TOUR debut as a pro @RocketClassic
It's Neal Shipley's world and we're just living in it. pic.twitter.com/UGCkbEkDZO
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 25, 2024
Prior to Monday night’s MLB game between the Phillies and Tigers, Shipley threw out the first pitch in Detroit. The event was another memory Shipley will never forget in an outstanding first half of 2024. Between his low amateur honors, helping Ohio State make some noise in the NCAA Championships, and turning professional, the Buckeye golfer is hoping the second half of the year is just exciting. Monday’s first pitch also marked the second “Tiger sighting” for Shipley, as he played the final round of the Masters with legendary golfer Tiger Woods.
Shipley’s first round of the tournament will begin today at 2:00 p.m. ET on the 10th hole of Detroit Golf Club. Playing with Shipley during the first two rounds of the tournament will be Adrien Dumont de Classart and Michael Thorbjornsen. This will be the sixth Rocket Mortgage Classic, with the first being played in 2019.
Rickie Fowler is the defending champion after defeating Adam Hadwin and Collin Morikawa in a playoff last year. Fowler joined notable winners Tony Finau, Cameron Smith, and U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau.
Along with Shipley, another notable golfer in the field will be amateur Miles Russell, who is just 15 years old. Russell has already made the cut at a Korn Ferry Tour event this year, and was offered a sponsor’s exemption to play this week’s tournament in Detroit. The funniest thing about Russell’s inclusion in this week’s tournament is there is a rule at the Detroit Golf Club that you have to be at least 16 years old to use the locker room at the course.
Who knows, maybe Ohio State will be in the mix for the young golfer from Florida when it comes time for Russell to pick a college to attend!
Continue reading...