Colonial Nation Membership has a particular custom relating to its annual PGA Tour cease, recognized as of late because the Charles Schwab Problem.
It is referred to as the Champions’ Selection: Previous match champions choose two gamers for a particular invitation into the sector every year. This week, the Champions’ Decisions are Neal Shipley and Blades Brown.
Brown is the 17-year-old who turned professional over the winter, and the good-natured Shipley captured golf followers’ creativeness in 2024 by ending because the low beginner at each the Masters and the U.S. Open earlier than he turned professional.
“It has been huge figuring out that I can compete at these largest levels so after I come out right here, I do know that I can beat many of the guys out right here,” Shipley advised reporters Tuesday. “I feel that is one thing that numerous younger execs do not get out of school, so actually grateful for these two experiences.”
After being featured on the Netflix docuseries “Full Swing,” as nicely, Shipley is chipping away at his skilled goals and is grateful for the chance in Fort Value, Texas.
“I am actually honored that a few of my friends selected to present me that exemption and actually excited to have a fantastic week,” he mentioned. “The golf course is in phenomenal form, and the membership right here at Colonial has simply accomplished an superior job welcoming us to their course.”
Shipley is getting simply his second PGA Tour begin of the season as he works towards incomes his card by way of the Korn Ferry Tour. He made the reduce and tied for forty seventh on the Valspar Championship in March.
Within the time since, Shipley notched his first skilled title by profitable a playoff on the LECOM Suncoast Basic on the Korn Ferry Tour in April.
“Quite a lot of our focus this 12 months is on the Korn Ferry Tour, stepping into a type of high 20 spots (that mechanically qualify to the PGA Tour),” he mentioned. “… There’s been nice alternatives, and I can play tour occasions. I need to be out right here. That is the place I need to play.”
Shipley was within the Dallas-Fort Value space earlier this month to play within the Korn Ferry Tour occasion there, and it is secure to say he is glad to be again.
“I like being in Texas. If I did not dwell in Florida, I’d most likely dwell right here,” Shipley mentioned. “Yeah, tremendous excited. Barbecue meals right here is simply fairly elite, so cannot beat it.”
