British Amateur champ Bradley Neil brilliantly upstaged World No. 1 Rory McIlroy on the opening day of official practice for the Masters.

The 18-year old Neil got his wish in playing a full 18-hole practice round with the four-time Major winner teeing off just after 9am local time and then walking from the 18th green around 2pm to a huge applause.

Their practice was first mentioned at last year’s Ryder Cup but it was about 10 days ago when the pair were at Augusta that yesterday’s (MON) practice round was locked in.

However McIlroy, who is striving to become just the sixth golfer in the game’s history to win all four Majors, didn’t count on the Blairgowrie golfer stealing his limelight so quickly on a glorious Spring morning and with Neil sending his third shot to the bottom of the cup at the downhill 525-yard par five second hole.

British Amateur champion Bradley Neil after his practice round with Tiger Woods. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

“I managed to hole out two from about 90 yards and he couldn’t stop laughing because that day we met here I did the exact same thing and he was on the third tee,” said Neil.

“It was even more funny as Rory said ‘just don’t bother going for the green, just lay up all the time’.

“So to see it go into the hole was a nice thing to do and I got a nice cheer from the crowd. Of course, all the way around the course it was Rory getting all the crowd applause but the fact that I got to taste that was great.

“I doubt I’ll play in front of a crowd like that during the rest of the week. It’s going to be easier now.”

After each putted out on 18 McIlroy stood for a few moments chatting with Neil and one of seven amateurs in the 79th Masters.

“It was a bit like coming here for the first time, as Rory continues to exceed all my expectations,” said Neil.

Bradley Neil speaking withe UK media after his round with World No. 1 Tiger Woods. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)

“He’s a really nice guy and made me feel really comfortable.

“I met him at last year’s Ryder Cup and he said to me we’ll get nine holes in at Augusta. But I then when I saw him a couple of weeks ago we had lunch together and he said ‘what’s your schedule for the week?’ and we managed to get out there today.”

And when asked the best advice McIlroy afforded the young Scot Neil replied: “A lot of times you can question yourself but if you have a distance just commit to the shot and don’t doubt yourself. That was the best bit of advice.

“I know what is in store for him, he has a chance at history. He’s had that on his mind. He’s just a normal person. Everyone here doesn’t view him like that but he’s so down to earth and a great guy, we talked about a lot of things.

Bradley Neil clearly enjoying the company of World No. 1 Rory McIlroy after holing his third shot for an eagle at the par five 2nd hole. (Photo – Getty)

“On one I was really happy to get it down the middle but he just stepped up and crunched it 40 yards in front of me. I thought ‘he’s good isn’t he?’”

Neil’s father, Rodney was behind the ropes taking as many photographs as he could of his young son, and looked clearly surprised when a media ‘scrum’ ambushed his son just in front of the stately Georgian clubhouse.

However his young son was taking it all in his stride.

In contrast, McIlroy headed straight for the privacy of the clubhouse and tendering less than 10 words to the waiting media which seemed fair given he will front the world’s golfing media later today (TUES).

“Sorry guys, I will do it all tomorrow,” he said.