Neal Shipley Holds One-Shot Lead After Three Bogey-Free Rounds at Biltmore

PGA Tour rookie Neal Shipley reached 21 under par at the inaugural Biltmore Championship Asheville to lead Ben Kohles by a single stroke.

Neal Shipley maintained a one-shot lead at the inaugural Biltmore Championship Asheville on Saturday, posting a 21-under 192 total at The Cliffs at Walnut Grove. The PGA Tour rookie, who entered the week ranked 183rd in the FedEx Cup standings, recorded his third consecutive bogey-free round. Shipley’s Saturday performance featured an eagle on the par-5 15th hole, where he struck a 227-yard approach to within 7½ feet, followed by a birdie on the par-5 18th.

Ben Kohles sits in second place at 20 under par after matching Shipley’s third-round 65. Kohles, seeking his first tour title, birdied three of his final four holes and recorded an eagle on the par-5 third while playing in the final threesome. Eric Cole and Ricky Castillo are tied for third at 17 under par following rounds of 64 and 65, respectively. Jacob Bridgeman (64) and Max Greyserman (66) trail the lead by five strokes at 16 under.

Shipley opened the tournament with a 65 and a 62. According to the Associated Press, a victory would secure him a two-year exemption and a spot in the 2028 Championship Series. Due to the threat of late afternoon storms, officials moved tee times forward and utilized groups of three for the third round. This event is the first of eight tournaments in the FedEx Cup Fall series used to determine the top 100 players who retain full cards for the following season.