Neal Shipley joined an exclusive club Sunday.
The 23-year-old won low amateur honors in the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2. He was paired with fellow amateur Luke Clanton in the final round, two of the only three amateurs to make the cut. Shipley topped Clanton by two shots in the final round to win low amateur and finish at 6 over for the week.
“It’s been wild,” Shipley said. “It’s been something that maybe three, four years ago I didn’t think was possible, and to accomplish all this has just been phenomenal. Just the stuff of dreams really as an amateur to do everything I’ve done. I think I’ve checked all the boxes now.”
Shipley became the ninth player in history to win low amateur honors at the Masters and U.S. Open in the same year. He’s the first to do so since Viktor Hovland in 2019. And he has Arby’s curly fries to thank.
Shipley shot 2-over 72 in the final round. He shot 70-73-71-72 in his first U.S. Open start. he got into the field thanks to him finishing runner-up in the 2023 U.S. Amateur at Cherry Hills outside of Denver.
He’s also not the only former Ohio State golfer to accomplish the feat. The other guy is pretty well known.
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Here’s a look at the six golfers who have finished as low amateur at the Masters and U.S. Open in the same year.
Patton was the first to do so in 1954.
Ward became the second to do it in 1955, a year later.
Ken Venturi drives off from 14th tee during the final round of the 1956 Masters.
Venturi was the third to accomplish the feat in 1956, three straight years of it happening.
Jack Nicklaus chips up to first green during third round of Masters Golf Tournament, April 9, 1960, at Augusta, Ga. Nicklaus, of Columbus, Ohio, was a U.S. Amateur champion.
Nicklaus’ greatness was predicted early, as he was the fourth to accomplish the feat in 1960.
Randolph accomplished the feat in 1986.
Phil Mickelson makes a speech as junior winning golfer Augusta National CC. Mandatory Credit: Eric Olig -The Augusta Chronicle via USA TODAY NETWORK
Mickelson is no surprise. He won a Tour event in the same year, 1991, that he swept low amateur honors.
Matt Kuchar and his father Peter discuss a putt on the 10th green during third-round action at the 1998…
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