Privilege to be on shortlist for sports crown
Bradley Neil hailed the sporting talent of the region and expressed his honour at being a Perth and Kinross Sports Personality of the Year finalist.
The European Tour star from Blairgowrie is up for the top gong alongside rugby 7s ace James Fleming and swimmer Scott McLay.
Neil, who has broken on to the main stage this season, is reflecting on a special year that he hopes can be built on.
“It’s always an honour to be in the final three of the Perth and Kinross Sports Awards,”Neil told the Perthshire Advertiser, which is sponsoring the event.
“Winning the award for my achievements in 2014 was the icing on the cake.
“The sporting talent in our area is unbelievable and continues to progress every year. To have my hard work and achievements noticed is incredible.
“But to have beaten some of the other applicants to be in this position and to be in the same bracket as the
Bradley Neil other two finalists is a real privilege.
“It makes me really proud of what I did this past year.”
Neil returned to familiar surroundings this week as he continues a memorable introduction to the EuropeanTour.
The 22-year-old professional teed-up at the Al Mouj Golf in Muscat, Oman, yesterday - the same venue where he secured his card.
Neil has advanced to the weekend three times since becoming a European Tour player. Now he is craving more consistency.
“I’ve made three cuts now so it’s been getting there,”Neil said.“I just need to start stringing four good rounds together but that will happen.
“I’m staying patient and continuing to work hard on my game.
“For me to be near the top I need to hit it straight off the tee and putt well. It’s as simple as that – and obviously you need a little luck.
“I have always been really excited about going back after getting my card there. It’s an amazing venue for any event and probably one of the best.
“I have so many great memories in Oman and hopefully I can add to them this week.”
Neil started his NBO Oman Open on Thursday alongside Rak Hyun Cho of South Korea and France’s Julien Guerrier.