Bradley will keep up the hard work
The uncertainty surrounding the rest of the golfing year is a strange thought for Perthshire professional Bradley Neil.
But the Blairgowrie star realises safety comes first and will continue to do all he can to keep his game in tip-top shape for any potential tournament golf.
The coronavirus outbreak has resulted in sporting events being cancelled around the world and the Challenge Tour - European golf’s second tier - has been affected.
Tournaments including the D+D Real Czech Challenge and D+D Real Slovakia Challenge have already been cancelled from the schedule.
Bradley said: “Events have been cancelled already, a big chunk from the Challenge Tour side of things.
“We have no idea how long this is going to last and I don’t think it is going to be short-term. I am definitely preparing for it being a season without competition.
“I had only really booked one flight to Prague and the likelihood is I will get that money back.
“It can be easy to prepare when you have got something to aim for, but we’re unsure what we’re aiming for right now.
“This is a first, a first for worldwide golf. There will be some on the Challenge Tour who will think, if not playing golf, do I need to find some work to keep busy?
“It’s incredibly strange just not knowing. I’m mainly practising in St Andrews and the academy at St Andrews Links has been absolutely fantastic with me.
“The weather was shocking last Thursday, 40 mile an hour wind, but I got a full day of work in because I had access to the nets and simulated golf.
“At this time it’s just pretty much practice. Preparations are still going on and I’m still going to the gym three times a week.
“I’m taking advantage of good weather days to get outside on the golf course. I’ll keep grinding away because there is always something to improve on.”
The 24-year-old is hoping to host the much-anticipated ‘Bradley Neil Golf Day’ at home club Blairgowrie, scheduled to tee-off on Friday, April 10, with a 1.30pm shotgun start.
The format will be teams of four playing a texas scramble and already the interest has been of a high level.
Funds raised will go towards Bradley’s golfing future.
Top prizes and auction items will be up for grabs, including signed merchandise from leading world pros Justin Rose, Justin Thomas and Shane Lowry.
And there will also be a four-ball to win at the Castle Course in St Andrews as well as a chance to play with Bradley at the new Dumbarnie Links.
The chance to take home four tickets for pop star Niall Horan’s October concert in Glasgow is also sure to excite music fans.
“I’ve got the golf day to plan for and hopefully that is able to go ahead,” said Bradley, who thanked Blairgowrie for their on-going support.
“It’s not like I am in desperate need of funds, but it is always nice to not have to worry. One of the biggest things in golf is trying to play tournaments without worrying.
“I didn’t really want to get in people’s faces about the golf day and I was quite uneasy about going out asking people for teams and prizes.
“But the reaction has been really surprising and there has been a good response.
“I’ve got about 15 teams with less than four weeks to go, which is a good position to be in. My manager has been fantastic and we’ve got a real range of prizes.”