Where Did Neal Shipley Go For College? Amateur Sensation’s Life Outside of Golf Explored

Neal Shipley stands taller than an average golfer at 6’3. The 22-year-old amateur aspires to be a professional soon. His performance at the Masters 2024 raised many eyebrows after he surpassed the 15-time major championship winner, Tiger Woods. But this student-athlete has a long list of achievements where he has represented his institutions. Let us see where this sensational amateur golfer went to college.

Which institutions does Neal Shipley have a degree from?

Shipley went to Pittsburgh Central Catholic High School, located in his hometown of Pittsburgh. Following this, Shipley went ahead with his higher studies at James Madison University. In this institution, he was a member of the 2021–22 Men’s Golf Roster and won several titles, including the JMU Athletics Director’s Scholar-Athlete, three times between 2019 and 2021.

At JMU, he completed his degree in quantitative finance. However, Shipley went ahead to proceed with a Master’s in data analytics from Ohio State University. Yet, the student-athlete is working towards another degree from OSU presently instead of leaving his student life behind while also pursuing golf.

Neal Shipley’s golf achievements from his universities

As a freshman at JMU, Shipley earned the CAA Commissioner Academic Honor Roll. He played a total of 24 rounds across eight events, with two top-ten finishes. In his sophomore year, Shipley became the Srixon/Cleveland Golf All-America Scholar. He also qualified for the U.S. Amateur in the summer of 2021.

By his final year at JMU, Shipley had a season average of 72.41 (+0.52) and became the second-lowest on the team and eighth-lowest in the history of JMU’s program. He had also set a career record. “Set new career low for gross score with 209 (67-71-71, -4) to tie for 12th at Irish Creek Intercollegiate,” reported JMU Sports.

When Neal Shipley went to Ohio State University, he played in all 13 events in his first season and ranked second with an average of 72.22 on the team. He also placed himself in a great position in the NCAA Championship. With 70-68-67 (-5), he again took second place and helped his team, the Buckeyes, make the 54-hole cut. Shipley had made a 40-foot birdie putt in the team playoff and had ultimately lifted the team into the final round.

By the next year, Shipley had an average of 71.35 and started leading the team. According to Ohio State Buckeyes, “Claimed his first collegiate victory at the Southwestern Invitational in January. He birdied six of his final right holes to finish with a final round 65 to win by one shot. Finished the tournament at a career-best 12-under par following rounds of 699, 67, and65.”

Neal Shipley’s presence in the 2024 majors

Neal Shipley had claimed second place in the 2023 US Amateur at Cherry Hills Country Club. There, his runner-up finish earned him a spot at the 2024 Masters. He had expressed, “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.”

But do you think he will finish well this time now that he has made the cut at the US Open as well?