Meet Neal Shipley, amateur golf star from Ohio State handed dream Masters Sunday pairing with Tiger Woods
AMATEUR golfer Neal Shipley lived out the average man’s dream on Sunday.
The 22-year-old was paired with golf icon Tiger Woods, 48, in the final round of the Masters at Augusta.
Shipley is a college star from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and in the early stages of his career.
But he’ll do well to top Sunday’s experience of walking the Augusta National Golf Club with five-time champion Woods.
The pair teed it up at 9.35am ET on Sunday morning in Augusta, Georgia.
Shipley not only got to play with Woods, but he won the prize for top amateur given he was the only one that qualified.
He also shot a final round of 73 – four better than the legend he played with.
And Shipley finished an unforgettable week at 12 over par, four shots better than Woods for the tournament.
The pair were seen talking and chatting during their round Sunday morning.
The 22-year-old qualified for the Masters by finishing second in the 2023 US Amateur.
He has three wins in his amateur career to date.
Those came at the 2022 Western Pennsylvania Open Champion and Pennsylvania Amateur Championship, and the 2024 Southwestern Invitational.
Shipley transfered from James Madison University to Ohio State, where he still studies.
He gained a degree in quantitative finance from James Madison and also has a masters in data analytics from Ohio State.
The 22-year-old became the first Ohio State Buckeye to win low amateur at the Masters since Jack Nicklaus.
Speaking last month to amateurgolf.com, Shipley said, “When you drive down Magnolia Lane, it really doesn’t even feel real.
“It is crazy to think that what I did at the U.S. Amateur led me to that.
“The biggest thing is thinking through the golf course before the week because there are so many things to learn.”
When you drive down Magnolia Lane, it really doesn’t even feel real
Neal Shipley
His exploits this week even earned him a shout out from Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro.
He wrote on Twitter, “Congratulations to Western Pennsylvania’s own Neal Shipley for winning low amateur in his Masters debut.
“Pretty cool that a Central Catholic grad is paired up with Tiger on Masters Sunday.
“Can’t wait to watch you at the Masters today and to see what’s next for you in your career. Good luck!”