Neal Shipley's Final-Hole Bogey Helps 12 Players Make Valspar Championship Cut - Asks For Waffle House Cards In Return
Neal Shipley's final hole bogey at the Valspar Championship moved the cutline from one-over to two-over-par, allowing 12 additional players to make the weekend at the Copperhead Course.
Playing his last hole of the day, Shipley found a fairway bunker off the tee and was forced to chip out. After reaching the green in regulation, his missed par putt moved the cut to two-over, benefiting several waiting players including Adam Scott.
PGA Tour pro Michael Kim, who was anxiously waiting at the airport in his courtesy car, celebrated on X/Twitter: "Neal just made 12 new friends." When asked about helping other players make the cut, Shipley joked that they could leave Waffle House gift cards in his locker as thanks.
Even established players like Justin Thomas acknowledged the stress of making cuts. Thomas, who finished at one-over, stated: "It's often more nerve-wracking than trying to win a golf tournament... I'm literally nine holes from leading the golf tournament right now, and I might not even get to play this weekend."
The situation highlighted how a single shot can mean the difference between playing the weekend and missing out on a potential payday for professional golfers. As Shane Lowry recently noted at The Players Championship: "Sometimes just making the cut means a lot to us out here."
Golfer posing with club smiling
Corporate business people walking in office corridor
Golfer chips from rough