Bradley Neil is hoping a night at the races with European Tour No. 2 Justin Rose is sufficient inspiration for the rookie Scottish pro.
Neil is making his full European Tour debut at this week’s UBS Hong Kong Open and the 22-year old will bank a first cheque today (SUN) after brilliantly making the cut in the former Colonial outpost.
The Blairgowrie golfer had holed a 25-footer for birdie at the 17th hole on Friday and then drained a 40-footer also for birdie at the last to make the cut by a shot.
Neil, however, had been playing nicely on Saturday to be one-under for his round on day three when he found the water guarding the green in taking a triple-bogey ‘7’ at the last in a round of 72 for a four-over tally.
Bradley Neil (middle) with Justin Rose at Happy Valley 2017 UBS Hong Kong Open.
He said: “It was a good way to make the cut but then I had a good feeling what I needed to do on Friday.
“I had spoken to my caddie and my manager and after the bogey on 16 I knew I had to birdie the last two and it was nice to do that.
“It’s just a pity that I ended my third round the way I did but the game is good and I’m looking forward now to the final day.”
Neil has clearly enjoyed the week in Hong Kong including during a practice round replaying a brilliant recovery shot Rory McIlroy had played in 2008 from just inside trees down the left side of the 18th.
The young Scot also hosted a clinic on Friday afternoon for a number of local juniors.
But the highlight of the week was clearly joining Rose, and his Excel Sports Management stablemate, for a night out last Thursday as guests of the Hong Kong Jockey Club at the famed Happy Valley racetrack.
It is yearly invitation the Club extends to all Hong Kong Open competitors, caddies and officials and with Neil photographed proudly alongside Rose with this week’s victory trophy.
Neil said: “It was a nice thing to be a part of and I was very fortunate to be invited along and joining Justin.
“It was nice to see a different part of Hong Kong while Happy Valley racetrack is known worldwide and given having arrived here last Sunday and all I have done is golf, golf, golf.
“So. it was just nice to get away from the hotel room and spend a bit of time with someone like Justin who, apart from being No. 6 in the world and a world-class golfer, is very down-to-earth and is a real gentleman, as well.
“Justin’s also won a Major, an Olympic Gold Medal and he also went so close to winning three European Tour events in succession last week in Dubai.
“Hopefully, a bit of his success will rub off on me.”
India’s SSP Chowrasia continues to lead the co-sanctioned event and will take a one-shot lead into the closing round at 10-under par.
Newly-crowned European No. 1 Tommy Fleetwood is just two shots back while Rose is at five-under and trailing five off the lead.
