SCOTLAND'S Bradley Neil vowed not to make any major changes after bringing an end to his amateur career with a second round of 73 in the US Open at Chambers Bay on Friday.
The 19-year-old, who won the Amateur Championship at Royal Portrush last year, carded five bogeys and two birdies to finish nine over par for the tournament after an opening 76.
"It was good to sort of finally play some of the golf that I've been playing in practice rounds," said Neil, who also missed the cut on his Masters debut at Augusta National. "It was nice to play some good golf at a major event. I'm pleased.
"I maybe hit a few more fairways and a few more greens [today]. Yesterday was just a couple of bad swings. I got unlucky a couple of times. I ran up some big numbers [including a triple bogey on the first and double bogey on the 13th]."
Asked what he would take from the week, Neil added: "That I played in a US Open. Not many people can say they've played in three majors by the time they are 19.
"That's what's been so good about this last year from winning the amateurs, you get to play three majors and a bunch of PGA and European tournaments. That's why I feel so prepared to turn pro now.
"It's the next step. Obviously I made a lot of steps through the age ranks in my short time as a golfer, but this is the biggest step and the most challenging step I'll take. Today's performance gives me a lot of confidence going into the rest of this year as a pro. I've just got to keep working hard. It's not going to be easy. I know how much work I need to do and I know what I need to work on. It's going to be fun.
"What a lot guys have said to me is don't change what's got you here. Like at the Open last year, Adam Scott said play your game, play the way that got you here.
"A lot of pros have said don't make any major changes, just turning pro is a big enough change. Just try and stick to what you know and what you have and just try to prove it with what you have got."
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