Last week’s Masters rookie British Amateur champ Bradley Neil readily accepts he’s facing a vastly different challenge contesting this week Battle Trophy at Crail Golfing Society, and golf’s seventh oldest club.

After the excitement but also the disappointment of competing for a first time at Augusta National, the Blairgowrie golfer heads the strongest Battle Trophy field.

Joining Neil on the acclaimed Gil Hanse designed Craighead Links course is Cawdor’s Jamie Savage, who is the current Irish Amateur Stroke-Play champion, along with Craigiehill’s David Young, who captured the recent South African Amateur crown.

Bradley Neil on the first tee at Craighead Links. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

As well, Bearsden’s Ewen Ferguson is out to capture a third SGU title in succession.

However most interest will be on Neil who played his only two Masters rounds alongide Masters and Open champion Sandy Lyle.

“There was always going to be a week in my career when I was going to be presented with the chance to learn a lot about myself and my game and it was last week’s Masters,” said Neil.

“Not so many guys get that chance so early on a career and I had that week at Augusta Natonal.

“Performing well would have been a bonus but then I found Augusta National very under-rated in terms of how tough it was.

A week after making his Masters debut and Bradley Neil heads the billing at the 2015 Battle Trophy. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

“So this week here at Crail I am back playing what is a major Scottish amateur event and looking also to feel more at ease.

“I recognise also the Battle Trophy is going to be a tough step for me in terms I was at the peak of the golfing game last week at the Masters, and competing in probably one of the four best tournaments you could play as a pro.

“However and having had a poor start to my season any event I play now is important.

“And what has been great is that everyone I’ve spoken to since returning home, and those I’ve met here at Crail, have not talked about my scores last week.

“Rather everyone just wanted to know everything about Augusta National and the Masters, so that’s been great to mention how much I did enjoy last week.”

Neil revealed also that during the course of playing a Masters practice round with World No. 1 Rory McIlroy that the four-time Major winner has extended an invitation to the young Scot to contest next month’s Irish Open at Royal County Down.

It means he will contest another two major pro events heading into June’s U.S. Open after having previously advised he has also accepted an invitation to contest May’s Jack Nicklaus hosted Memorial in Ohio.