Top Scottish prospect Bradley Neil looked up to David Law when he started playing top-class amateur golf, and he expects to take the same path to the summit of the game.
The 17-year-old current Scottish Boys champion is playing at his first professional event in the Paul Lawrie Invitational at Deeside this week and started with a solid par round of 70 to lie four behind the former Scottish Mens and Boys champion.
Law upstaged his mentor Lawrie over the Ryder Cup hero’s home course at Deeside and next week in Poland bids to book his Challenge Tour rights for 2014, one step away from the European Tour proper.
Blairgowrie’s Neil was satisfied with his first round among the professionals, after a gruelling first season in senior golf after winning the Scottish Boys’ title at Monifieth in April.
“To be honest I was a bit drained even after Monifieth,” said Bradley.
“I’ve been getting used to playing every week, limiting practice and living out of suitcases. But I’d far prefer to be learning to do that now rather than in five years when I’m playing for a living. It’s the life you’ve got to get used to if you want to succeed in the game.
“It’s great to be playing here alongside a lot of the guys I looked up to when I first started playing amateur golf, like David (Law) and James (Byrne). It’s a challenge to compare myself against them as they make their way up the ranks.”
Law could even afford to bogey the last and still have a two-shot lead on Paul O’Hara and Paul Shields, and this week is a nice diversion from serious business on the third-tier ProGolf Tour next week.
“I’m sixth in the Order of Merit and the first six places get Challenge Tour cards, so next week it’s in my hands,” he said.
“Sixth place also means a bye into the second stage of Tour School so hopefully I can relax knowing I’ve got back-up for next year.”
After 18 months as a pro, he feels he’s matured as a player and know above all that patience is the key.
“You’d love to do it with one good week but you have to be realistic,” he said.
“It’s about learning and being patient look at Craig Lee, it took him until he was 36.”
Lawrie shot 69, just one better than son 18-year-old Craig, who plays off scratch.