The PGA Tour has announced a partnership with Zyrtec, making it the first official allergy relief sponsor of the Tour. As part of the collaboration, golfers Neal Shipley and Akshay Bhatia will serve as brand ambassadors. Both players have discussed their struggles with allergies throughout their careers and the relief Zyrtec has provided.
In an exclusive interview, Shipley spoke with Heavy about managing allergies on Tour. The 25-year-old opened up about how his partnership with Zyrtec is helping set the tone for what he hopes will be an exciting 2026 season.
PGA Tour Names Neal Shipley Brand Ambassador for New Zyrtec Partnership
When asked about his role as a brand ambassador, Shipley expressed enthusiasm about the partnership.
“I feels like it’s such a natural fit,” Shipley said. “I struggle with allergies and I think Zyrtec has helped me with relief for a lot of those symptoms.”
He went on to describe the challenges that come with constant travel and competing in varying climates.
“On Tour, when we’re traveling in different environments it’s something that’s just a necessity,” he explained. “It’s nice to have that one variable [taken] away and I don’t have to worry about it.”
Discussing how Zyrtec fits into his daily routine, Shipley noted that it becomes especially important during peak allergy seasons.
“It’s definitely more of an everyday life thing. Especially when allergy season starts coming around and I’m in high pollen environments,” he said. “Like right now in Florida, I’m generally okay without it. But for me, if I get into the Carolinas in the spring, and get clouds of pollen coming off pine trees, that’s when I really need it bad.”
Shipley Reflects on Family Support
Shipley said his allergies first appeared in high school. They worsened as his professional career progressed and travel became more frequent. He reflected on how allergies have long affected his family.
“I used to tease them about it because my brother got allergies and symptoms way before I did, my dad has always had them,” Shipley said. “I remember it being the springtime going to baseball games and my brother would be clawing his eyes out and my dad would be sneezing. I’d always make fun of them for having allergies and here I am now a few years later where I have the same symptoms as them.”
“I’m definitely paying the price for making fun of them,” he added with a smile.
Beyond shared allergies, Shipley spoke about the support system his family provides.
“My brother just graduated college and my dad is still working so they get out as much as possible,” he said. “It’s one of those things where, you know, every tournament isn’t really doable for them, but a lot of the cool stops they’ll do.”
Neal Shipley’s 2026 Season
As for his 2026 season on the PGA Tour, Shipley is eager to return to several tournaments. Including ones that previously extended him sponsor exemptions.
“I’m looking forward to coming back to a lot of the Tour stops that I’ve been to already,” he said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to receive a handful of sponsors invitations all throughout my last two years and I’m really excited to go back to some of those tournaments like Valspar, Colonial, Detroit, John Deere. Those are just a few off the top of my head that, they were great to give me sponsorships.”
Overall, Shipley expressed gratitude for the momentum building around his career, including the added bonus of allergy relief.
“I’m pumped to get back and maybe get some good vibes, and really relive some fun experiences I’ve had,” he said.
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