Bradley Neil is hoping his home crowd can act as a 13th team member as the European side attempts to overhaul a 7-4 deficit on the final day of the Junior Ryder Cup at Blairgowrie Golf Club.
The British Amateur champion, who is a member of Blairgowrie, was blown away by the support he and his team-mates got, as more than 3,000 spectators came out to watch day one of the event.
The USA took a 4-2 lead into the afternoon and, just as Europe looked to be turning the tide midway through the fourballs, the visitors turned it around with some stunning comebacks.
The moment of the day came from Austin Connelly, who holed out with the putt of a lifetime from more than 50 feet to rubber-stamp a crucial point on the final green alongside Hannah O’Sullivan in the third match of the afternoon.
Alongside England’s Annabel Dimmock, home hero Neil led the lines from the back in the afternoon as they stormed to an impressive 6&4 victory over Cameron Young and Sierra Brooks, and Neil is hoping the crowds can push captain Stuart Wilson’s team to an unlikely comeback.
“Obviously we expected some crowds but there was no way I expected this much support,” said Neil, who lost alongside Germany’s Max Schmitt in the morning foursomes.
“I really hope the people that came today see how good the golf is, how good it is to watch, and want to come back tomorrow.
“It would be massive if we can get the crowds tomorrow. Coming down 16 this morning I could really feel the crowds backing us up and they’re like a 13th team member. If we get it going early doors tomorrow morning and we get some blue on the board, hopefully we can get it going.”