Top ten start to 2019 for golfer Bradley
Bradley Neil was “over the moon” this week after posting a top 10 finish at the Dimension Data Pro-Am in South Africa.
The Sunshine Tour event performance at Fancourt has given the Blairgowrie professional a big confidence boost for the year ahead.
He carded rounds of 73, 68, 68 and 66 to finish eighth with a 14-under par total.
“I haven’t played a tournament like that since Challenge Tour 2017,” Bradley
Mike Mooney performed impressively to lift the title in Cardiff, Wales Perthshire squash ace Mike Mooney is proving age is just a number after smashing his way to the Welsh Masters title.
The Blairgowrie-based player recorded a 13-15, 15-12, 17-16, 15-8 victory against home favourite Haydn Jones in the men’s over-70 final.
Mike (70) had swept through to the showdown match in Cardiff after defeating Jim Inglis in the quarter-final before seeing off Christopher Leach in the semis.
Freelance adventurer Mike was thrilled to play his way to the top prize and said: “All tournaments are tough, everyone is there for the same reason - to win.
“I have always had high expectations of myself. I practiced very hard for this one and as you can guess I was very, very happy.
“I just had to keep the pressure on my opponents throughout the weekend.
“Going into the final, up against champions and higher seeded players, I knew I had it in me to be successful.
“I tried too hard in the first set, trying to force the game. But I settled down and played my natural game and started to enjoy the experience.
“The crowd was on his side - he was a local - and I felt they were thinking who is this guy from Scotland coming down here to take this title. It spurred me on.
“It was my determination in the end and also thinking of the people who have helped me.” told the Perthshire Advertiser.
“It still wasn’t four rounds of my best but it wasn’t far away. It was a very encouraging start to 2019.
“I lost a lot of belief and confidence last year and this is something to build on.”
Bradley was particularly pleased with his final round where he chalked up six straight threes on the back nine.
“It was a positive end,” he said. “The best thing about that final round was being bogey free. That finish was all about patience.
“I hit the ball so well and missed putt after putt but the maturity I gained from last year made me stay patient.
“I knew that it only takes one moment, which came on the 13th and I went from there.”
Spending time in South Africa has again been beneficial.
“The warm weather training has always been positive and a constant improvement,” Bradley said.
“Playing a tournament gives me the opportunity to see what the hard work has done and also the chance to analyse potential areas of improvement.
“I could’ve played other tournaments before last week but opted to prepare and practice with Ian Rae in Johannesburg the week before.
“I’m now back to Dubai for an event before hopefully competing in Kenya on the European Tour.”