Neal Shipley likes cashing in checks. That’s the biggest perk of turning pro, the 23-year-old joked. The golf gods listened. The Ohio State alum has two new opportunities to earn big bucks. In Detroit, Shipley comfortably made the cut at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, tying for 10th after 36 holes. 

The Ohio State graduate in data analytics got off to a hot start in his PGA Tour debut. The first nine holes tested his patience. Starting on the back nine, he made three bogeys with one birdie to make the turn at 1-over. However, Shipley made five consecutive birdies in the front nine and an eagle to stay at 5-under. 

Carrying the momentum on Friday, Shipley made sure he had five circles on his scorecard. At 9-under, the Ohio State product is tied for 10th after 36 holes. The 23-year-old led the field in strokes gained: approach in the opening round. Friday was more of a cautious display from the debutant, possibly because the goal was to not ruin his chances by being overly aggressive. 

A year ago, the youngster was nowhere on the map. He was languishing outside the top 1000 in the world amateur golf ranking. Now, Shipley stands out in the crowd. The Pittsburgh resident was the low amateur in both the U.S. Open and the Masters, a feat only nine in history boasted. His steady rise to the top has got the Internet talking. 

Neal Shipley is a name making rounds on social media

At the Detroit Golf Club, the 23-year-old has made 12 birdies, the eighth-best of the field. Shipley T26 at the U.S. Open, ahead of Cameron Smith, Sahith Theegala, and a bunch of PGA Tour and LIV Golf stars. Shipley’s scoring average, 71.35 is the best among his Ohio Buckeyes teammates. Currently, the 23-year-old is 17th in the World Amateur Golf Ranking.

Summing up his overall achievements, one user tweeted, “In six rounds to start his professional career, Neal Shipley has already made 42 birdies and an eagle.”  Congratulatory notes came from his Ohio State coach as well. Hoping that Shipley will be an inspiration for all upcoming stars, Jay Moseley tweeted, “Keep grinding kids… 2 years ago Neal Shipley was north of 1100 in WAGR… 12 months ago he couldn’t get in all of the @eliteamseries events… Today he’s top 10 heading into the weekend in his @PGATOUR debut @RocketClassic.” 

Notably, the John Deere Classic tournament director announced that the 23-year-old has received a sponsor exemption for next week’s PGA Tour event. Shipley will be joined by Cole Sherwood, Jackson Buchanan, and Luke Clanton, the next batch of likely PGA Tour stars in the future. .“It was a no-brainer adding Neal Shipley. Good move,” one user commended the tournament organizer.

The excitement around Shipley is only growing. He can expect more eyeballs when he tees off in the TPC Deere Run next week. One golf fan commented, “Excited to see how his career goes but he competes at every opportunity he gets.” A second person wrote, “What a start for Neal Shipley! Keep it up!” 

The Masters and the U.S. Open at ANGC and Pinehurst No. 2, two of the hardest courses on the Tour, prepared Neal Shipley for the upcoming challenges. Speaking after the round, Shipley said there was no learning curve at the Rocket Mortgage Classic as the major experience mostly carried him forward.