Neal Shipley guided Pittsburgh Central Catholic to two PIAA golf championships.
He’s won Pa. junior titles and even claimed the 2022 Pa. State Amateur trophy following his work at Llanerch Country Club in Havertown.
And after two terrific, wind-swept loops around Augusta National Golf Club this week, Shipley guaranteed the low amateur at the 2024 Masters would be a Pa. native.
The 22-year-old carded a 4-over-par 76 Friday to become the lone amateur to make the Masters cut, meaning Shipley will round Augusta National on the weekend and compete for a top 20 finish.
Shipley (+3), who made his Masters debut Thursday with a sterling 1-under 71, is currently tied for 30th place. Shipley’s two-day 147 bested defending champion Jon Rahm, another former Masters champion in Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy and dozens more.
Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and Max Homa currently lead at 6-under-par (138).
According to a Golf Digest report, amateurs are allowed five visits to famed Augusta National to prepare for the Masters. It was reported that the Mt. Lebanon native and grad student at Ohio State took full advantage of those trips, playing as many as 36 holes a visit.
Shipley played his first two rounds with Ryo Hisatsume and 2003 Masters champion Mike Weir. He’ll tee off at 12:15 p.m. Saturday with Patrick Cantlay.
Follow Eric Epler on X – @threejacker
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