Neal Shipley Takes One-Shot Lead With 9-Under 62 at Biltmore Championship

Neal Shipley posted a 9-under 62 on Friday to reach 15-under par and take a one-stroke lead over Ben Kohles at The Cliffs at Walnut Grove.

Neal Shipley carded a bogey-free 9-under 62 on Friday to take a one-shot lead at the inaugural Biltmore Championship Asheville. Shipley sits at 15-under 127 through 36 holes at The Cliffs at Walnut Grove, holding a narrow advantage over Ben Kohles, who finished his second round with a 63. Ricky Castillo also recorded a 62 during the second round and sits four shots off the lead in third place.

Shipley began his round with two consecutive birdies and converted a 10-foot eagle putt on the par-5 third hole. He reached the turn in 6-under 29 before adding three additional birdies on the back nine. Through two rounds, Shipley has played the par 5s in 9 under par. The longest par 5 on the course measured 536 yards during Friday's play.

Ben Kohles moved into second place behind an eagle-birdie finish, sinking a 20-foot eagle putt on the 17th and a 15-foot birdie on the 18th. Jacob Bridgeman shot a 67 to reach 9-under par, trailing Shipley by six strokes. Among the five Presidents Cup players representing the International team, only Nick Taylor made the cut.

Shipley entered the week ranked No. 183 in the FedEx Cup standings, having missed 11 cuts in 19 tournaments during his rookie season. The Biltmore Championship Asheville serves as the opening event of the eight-tournament FedEx Cup Fall, which determines the top 100 players who will retain full PGA Tour cards for the following season.