Neal Shipley stayed bogey-free through three rounds and maintained a one-stroke advantage after Saturday’s play at the inaugural Biltmore Championship Asheville in Asheville, N.C.
Shipley carded a 6-under-par round of 65 and the PGA Tour rookie is at 21-under 192 after 54 holes at The Cliffs at Walnut Grove.
“Just going to keep doing what I’m doing,” Shipley said. “Keep being me and keep having fun out there. Keep that mindset of going out there, chasing birdies, and trying to get it as low as possible tomorrow.”
His playing partner, Ben Kohles, also fired a 65, which included back-to-back birdies on the finishing holes to get to 20 under.
Shipley did not match Friday’s birdie-birdie-eagle start, but did record his second eagle in two days, reaching the par-5 15th hole in two shots and sinking a putt of 7 1/2 feet for eagle. He added four birdies.
“That was huge to get that one to go and get a little bit of wind in our sails,” Shipley said of the eagle at No. 15.
“I am pretty fortunate I get to hit a golf ball for a living, so this is really fun,” he said. “It’s even more fun when you’re up on the top of the leaderboard.”
Eric Cole and Ricky Castillo are tied for third at 17-under par. Cole fired a 64, while Castillo backed up his 62 on Friday by matching Shipley and Kohles with a 6-under round on Saturday.
China’s Haotong Li fired a tournament-low round of 10-under-par 61 to vault up 31 places into a tie for seventh at 15 under. He is tied with three others, including PGA Tour and Presidents Cup rookie Jackson Koivun, who carded an 8-under-par 63.
Shipley, who entered the week No. 183 in the standings, with a victory would earn a two-year exemption on tour and a spot in the PGA Tour Championship Series when the tour changes its schedule in 2028.
“It would be huge,” Shipley said of a victory on Sunday. “It would take a lot of stress off my back, that’s for sure. It’s one of those things I’m playing really well and I know it’s a matter of time for me, so I’m going to give it my best shot tomorrow and lay it all out there and see what happens.”
Kohles said he would be in “attack” mode on Sunday.
“You know, pedal down,” Kohles said. “I think you’re seeing some really good scores, so depending on when we play, I would imagine you’re going to see probably the same tomorrow. I don’t know if it’s going to rain. Might get some more rain tonight.
“That will only help the conditions get a little bit softer, so there (are) some guys shooting 10-, 9-under, obviously I had an eight (under) yesterday, and I think there were a bunch (of) sixes and sevens today. Still got to go out there and shoot a good round to give yourself a chance.”
–Field Level Media
