Excited Neil prepares for European Tour bow in Hong Kong –

Golf: Blairgowrie pro in the Far East for 2018 campaign opener

Bradley Neil will make his first start since securing his European Tour card at this week’s UBS Hong Kong Open.

The Perthshire professional tees-up in the opening tournament of the 2018 campaign – just two weeks after a top-15 finish in the second tier Challenge Tour brought him Tour joy.

Blairgowrie Golf Club star Bradley, 21, said: “I started off as 11th reserve but we have been preparing just in case I got the call.

“I am coming off a long, tough season and being back out competing again so quickly is quite a shock. But I have no complaints. I’ve got what I wanted.

“It’s hugely exciting. This is another step up and competing at this level has been my target for the last few years, and a specific aim for the past two seasons.

“Hopefully I can get off to a good start in Hong Kong, Mauritius and South Africa and kick on in the new year.”

Former Amateur champion and Junior Ryder Cup star Bradley is being sponsored by Graham Environmental Services, Scotland’s largest independent pest control and kitchen canopy cleaning company.

The firm has agreed a major sponsorship deal and Bradley’s bag will carry the company name and logo for the next two years.

Bradley said: “It is fantastic to have Graham Environmental Services backing me on Tour. They have been with me every step of the way and this takes it to another level.”

Graham Environmental Services directors Ross and Stuart Graham, and Phil McKenna – who caddied for Bradley at the 2015 Masters – have followed his progress since Bradley was a talented youngster emerging from the ranks at Blairgowrie Golf Club, where he rewrote the record books by winning the club championship at the tender age of 14.

“It’s a milestone year for us because 2018 is the 25th anniversary of Graham Environmental Services which began as a small family firm in Blairgowrie with our parents Jimmy and Anna,” said Perth and Kinross County player Stuart.

“Supporting Bradley as he takes his first steps on the European Tour is our way of marking the milestone.

“Obviously there are cost implications of going full-time on the Tour and we wanted to give him a helping hand because he will be getting up to 25 invitations over the next 12 months.

“Bradley has worked tremendously hard to get to this stage.”

Bradley is the first Perth and Kinross player to reach this level since Brian Marchbank nearly 40 years ago.

Bradley Neil goes into his first European Tour event with backing from Graham Environmental Services.