Perthshire’s rising young golf star Bradley Neil was mentioned in the same breath as Scotland’s greatest ever golfer, Sandy Lyle, by a man who has hit shots with both.
Blairgowrie Golf Club head professional Charles Dernie shared the fairways with a young Lyle when they were both leading amateurs in the 1970s, and he coached newly crowned Scottish Boys champion Neil between the ages of eight and 14.
According to Dernie, Neil, who defeated St Andrews’ Ewan Scott in Saturday’s final at Monifieth, is blessed with the type of raw talent that you rarely see.
And he also believes his standard of junior golf is comparable to that of a young up-and-coming Lyle.
The former European Tour pro explained: “I went on record when Bradley was 12 and said he was the best 12-year-old I had ever seen, and that hasn’t changed.
“I played in England’s youth team with a 14-year-old Sandy Lyle and I wouldn’t say he’s all that far behind him.”
Dernie was the first man to give a lesson to Neil around nine years ago, and he was instantly struck back then by the Blair-gowrie High School pupil’s ability.
He said: “Bradley first started at Blairgowrie as an eight-year-old and it was obvious straight away that he had a natural flair for the game.
“Because he was such a natural talent I didn’t really have to do too much. That’s what set him apart from the rest. He makes the game look easy. A monkey could teach Bradley because he does things right and picks it up straight away.
“I just wanted to make sure he stayed on the straight and narrow and his fundamentals were correct. He’s the type of boy who would always accept advice on that front.”
“All the top young amateurs hit the ball very well these days, but Bradley has a very good golfing brain, Dernie said.
“He knows when to attack and when to defend, which you can’t easily teach. He’s not robotic, and as he showed last week he’s got all the shots in his repertoire and, importantly, he’s got a wonderful short game.
“He’s now the property of the Scottish Golf Union coaching team and going away for the warm weather training with the senior squad will have helped, I’m sure.”
The 17-year-old brought his new trophy back to Blairgowrie on Sunday and went out for a few holes with his father in the evening.
Neil doesn’t lack for confidence, and Dernies insisted that will help rather than hinder him in the crucial years ahead, which will determine whether boyhood amateur potential is converted into a successful professional career.
“The last thing you want to do is burst his bubble,” he said.
“Confidence is very important in golf.”
Dernie also backed Neil’s choice of an American college for the next stage of his golfing education.
He said: “If he wants to go to the States, I’d agree with that. He can play 12 months of the year over there.
“The road map is there for him. He’s won everything at boys level in Scotland the 14s, 16s and now 18s and he’ll now step up to British Boys and the men’s amateur tournaments.
“He can’t be far away from a full cap and the Scottish Amateur is here at Blairgowrie this year, which is a bonus for him.
“The next few years should be very exciting and it’s good for Bradley that he’s got Ewan Scott beside him as they’ll help bring each other along.”