Hard graft starts to pay off for Bradley
Perthshire golf pro Bradley Neil admits he has never worked so hard to get his game in shape.
The Blairgowrie player has been putting in the hours on the practice range and out on the course in a bid to begin the year in style.
And that graft looks to be paying off after the 21-year-old returned from the Challenge Tour’s Kenya Open with a 29th place finish.
Rounds of 73, 67, 70 and 68 resulted in a six-under-par total in Nairobi to boost confidence ahead of an important year.
“Everything was fairly solid,” Neil told the Perthshire Advertiser. “I drove the ball well every round but what pleased me most was that I hit more greens every round and also that I came up with a good second round when I needed it most.
“Obviously a win is the way I wanted to start the season but getting on the board is what I wanted and to do it with a solid performance is most pleasing.
“I will look at what needs improving and take it to Turkey in a few weeks.
“It is the most and hardest work I’ve put in during the off-season.
“I feel like I have the game to have my best season yet but I’m not putting pressure on myself to perform. I know I’ve put the work in and I know it will pay off.
“I took massive confidence from the end of last year. To get through European Tour Qualifying school when I needed it most and then to follow it up with my performance in Australia was a great way to end a challenging year.
“I just feel the confidence of performing well has come back.”
Neil has had his ups and downs since turning professional back in 2015 but it is a journey that he would not change.
“The experience of being a professional has been an eye-opener,” the former Blairgowrie High School pupil explained.
“It’s certainly not been what I wanted but I’m delighted with the position I’m in now and even more delighted with where my game is at. Bradley Neil
“Regardless of what has happened, it’s been the best experience of my life and I feel like a better person for it.
“I’ve never not enjoyed being out there. It’s all part of the learning curve.”
Neil is next in Challenge Tour action at the Turkish Airlines Challenge, which takes place from April 20 to 23.