Neal Shipley’s TGL Hole-in-One Sparks Debate Over What Counts as ‘Real’
Rocket Mortgage Classic Neal Shipley of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania hits from the 9th tee during the final round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club on Sunday, June 30, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit Michigan United States PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xAmyxLemusx originalFilename:lemus-rocketmo240630_npx5M.jpg
Rocket Mortgage Classic Neal Shipley of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania hits from the 9th tee during the final round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic at Detroit Golf Club on Sunday, June 30, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit Michigan United States PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxFRA Copyright: xAmyxLemusx originalFilename:lemus-rocketmo240630_npx5M.jpg
In his TGL debut, Neal Shipley delivered the league’s first hole-in-one, but instead of only celebrating it, he was soon asked whether it was real enough to add to his career total.
On Monday, February 9, rookie Neal Shipley made the first hole-in-one in TGL history during his league debut for The Bay Golf Club. He recorded the ace on the fifth hole at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.
Post the win, Shipley was asked if he would add the hole-in-one to his career total, according to HITC.
The 25-year-old replied, saying, “100 percent. No doubt. I think so. I'm going to count it. That's better than a hole-in-one, man.”
The hole-in-one gave The Bay a 4–0 lead. Later in the match, Shipley made a 16-foot birdie on the 14th hole to secure the result, as The Bay defeated Los Angeles Golf Club 11–5.
LA JOLLA, CA - JANUARY 30: Neal Shipley tees off on the North course seventh hole during the second round of the Farmers Insurance Open on January 30, 2026, at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, CA. Photo by Karl Anderson/Icon Sportswire GOLF: JAN 30 PGA, Golf Herren Farmers Insurance Open EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon272260130080
LA JOLLA, CA - JANUARY 30: Neal Shipley tees off on the North course seventh hole during the second round of the Farmers Insurance Open on January 30, 2026, at Torrey Pines Golf Course in La Jolla, CA. Photo by Karl Anderson/Icon Sportswire GOLF: JAN 30 PGA, Golf Herren Farmers Insurance Open EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon272260130080
The question of credibility arises because TGL matches are played at the SoFi Center, where players hit tee shots into a 64-by-53-foot simulator screen before moving to a physical short-game area and an adjustable putting green.
Shipley also noted that it was not his first, saying, “That’s the fourth lifetime. I had one in November in Japan. That was my last one. So we’ve been on a little bit of a roll recently.”
Shipley’s first hole-in-one came earlier in his amateur or collegiate career. He later added a second ace during that period to bring his total to two.
While questions have been raised about the credibility of the hole-in-one, PGA Tour players have shown support for Shipley and acknowledged the shot.
PGA Tour Player Praise Neal Shipley’s Shot as Debate Over TGL Ace Continues
After the ace on the virtual par-3 fifth hole, Neal Shipley celebrated with Clanton and Min Woo Lee as they gathered around him.
On the other side, Tommy Fleetwood, who was competing against them in the Los Angeles Golf Club, also acknowledged the moment.
The 2025 DP World India Championship winner said, “Unbelievable moment with that hole-in-one. Great moments at the right time. Don’t mind losing to that.”
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Written by
Aditi Singh
Edited by
Oajaswini Prabhu