U.S. OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP 2024

June 16, 2024

Neal Shipley

Pinehurst Resort & C.C. (Course No. 2)

Flash Interview

NEAL SHIPLEY: It's really an honor to win the low amateur here, and especially at Pinehurst. It's a really special place, and just really excited about being in the ceremony later today.

Q. You really burst on to the scene last summer at the U.S. Amateur and then you were low am at the Masters and you did this this week. What's the run been like the last 10 months?

NEAL SHIPLEY: It's been wild. 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.

Q. How cool was it playing with Luke down the stretch there?

NEAL SHIPLEY: It was awesome. He played great today. He really made it tough on me. He's got a lot of good golf left, and you're going to be seeing him out here again very soon. He's such a quality player. If any of you guys are following college golf, you know he's one of the best out there. So no doubt he'll be back and ready to go again.

Q. What does it mean to be one of six to do what you've done, and what does it say that you've done that?

NEAL SHIPLEY: I think it means I've got some big shoes to fill because the guys who have done it before have obviously gone on to have some great careers. But for me, it's just a -- I think it just really solidifies my amateur career as I turn pro next week, and I'm just really happy with the career that I've had as an amateur and the legacy hopefully that I'll leave.

Q. Can you speak to the differences between the Masters when you kind of had things wrapped up and then this one when it was pretty much a one-v-one match play scenario out there?

NEAL SHIPLEY: Yeah, Masters was pretty much about soaking it all in and having a lot of fun, and that weekend getting to play with Cantlay and Tiger and all that was just a really cool experience.

I think this week having to play well on the weekend to earn low am honors really kept me focused, and I think that shows with my play and finish. I think I finished really well. I don't know what I'm going to end up at, but for my first U.S. Open, really happy with my play.

Q. Could you go through your travel schedule and what's next? I know you're going to play PGA TOUR Americas this coming --

NEAL SHIPLEY: Yeah, we have to roll it back to nationals. I was over on the West Coast now two weeks ago, came back to Columbus, back out to the West Coast for Q-school, went to Dallas for a wedding and then straight here, and now I'm going back out to Victoria on the West Coast. Been kind of going around the country and a lot of long flights, but lucky that I'm young and can handle all that still.

Q. Had you played Luke in match play at any time?

NEAL SHIPLEY: I don't think I've played match play with Luke. I've played with him on a few occasions in college golf, and so we've known each other for quite a while, and I know what a quality player he is.

Q. Did you think about being low am when you were out there playing? You were head-to-head with him.

NEAL SHIPLEY: Absolutely, it was definitely on our minds. We wanted to win, and we wanted to get that, especially there's nothing else to really win out here with where the leaders are at, so it was definitely on our mind.

Q. What do you know about Canada?

NEAL SHIPLEY: I went out there last year for the Pacific Coast Amateur. We were in Vancouver. The people there are very nice. That stereotype is true. A lot of the golf courses are tree-lined and old style. It's a little bit different type of golf than we see in the States. But really excited for that opportunity.

From what I've heard out there, there's a real fraternity of guys out there, and they stick together really well on the PGA TOUR Americas, and really excited to join them soon. A lot of great players out there that are already there and a lot of great players coming from the PGA TOUR U rankings. It's going to be really competitive, and I'm very excited. I think it's going to help my game a lot to play against a lot of those guys.

Q. When you think back five years ago to a kid, senior in high school, limited Division I offers, far from a moment like this, what comes to mind? What do you think about when you look at how far you've come?

NEAL SHIPLEY: Yeah, I really just think about all the work I've put in throughout all five years. It's been a long ride and a lot of hours, a lot of work with my swing coach, Way, and the coaches at Ohio State and James Madison. I've had a lot of people really believe in me from the golf side of things and also my parents, as well, put a lot of resources and belief in me and my ability to get my game to the highest level and just really happy to have such a great crew around me. They're just awesome and have been a great support system for me.

Q. How do you compare and contrast the vibe of PGA TOUR Americas Q-school versus Sunday at the U.S. Open?

NEAL SHIPLEY: I mean, the pressure situation down the end, there's a lot of pressure there. I was in a nine-for-one playoff and got my card in that, and that was some of the most nervous I've been on a golf course coming down the stretch because you're playing to have a place to play for a whole summer, and that's really nerve-racking.

Coming down here, part of it's just enjoying the experience really. The experience of playing a major is just unlike anything else, and so obviously we were battling Luke and really focused on that, but taking some time to focus in and enjoy the crowds, as well.

Q. The penalty you called on yourself yesterday, what was going through your mind at that point?

NEAL SHIPLEY: It was one of those things that's really unfortunate and sometimes just happens. Yeah, head was /SPEUBing a little bit in that moment, but I think we did a really good job of settling things really quickly. We were in a tough spot to begin with, leaving it short of that green, and just kind of got it back to a position where we could then two-putt from there, from off the green. Then going to the next hole hit some good golf shots coming in.

I think with that blunder we played really well yesterday, and yeah, it's the type of stuff you just have to deal with and learn to deal with when you're playing a lot of tournament golf.

Q. What are you most looking forward to about being a professional golfer?

NEAL SHIPLEY: Probably cashing a check. I don't know what I'm going to miss out on this week, but obviously I wouldn't trade that for the experience I got this week, but it'll hurt a little.