Bradley Neil in running for BBC award

• Young Scot named on ten-person shortlist
• Got nod after stunning 2014 and Amateur C’ship win
• Would be only the second golfer to take the prize
• Winner to be revealed on Dec 14 at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro 

Blairgowrie’s Bradley Neil has made the shortlist for the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award.

The 18-year-old is one of ten talented young sportsmen and women in the running for the prize following a hugely successful season in which he became the first Scot in a decade to win the Amateur Championship.

He also was part of Scotland’s European Nations Cup-winning side, played for Great Britain & Ireland in their St Andrews Trophy victory, and represented Europe in the Junior Ryder Cup over his home course.

Joining Neil on the shortlist are athlete Morgan Lake, gymnast Claudia Fragapane, para-swimmer Erraid Davies and diver Alicia Blagg, as well as kayaker Rebeka Simon, wheelchair racer Jade Jones and weightlifter Rebekah Tiler. Para-cyclist Sophie Thornhill and gymnast Nile Wilson complete the line-up of candidates.

The winner be announced the BBC Sports Personality of the Year show, which takes place on December 14 at Glasgow’s SSE Hydro arena.

Neil’s nomination opens up the possibility of golf doing the ‘double’ in the awards ceremony, with Open and PGA champion Rory McIlroy in the running for the main award on the night. His closest competition is expected to come from Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton.

To date, Lauren Taylor is the only golfer to win the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award.

The BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award was introduced in 1999 and has been won in the past by the likes of Wayne Rooney (2002) and Andy Murray (2004).

To date, Lauren Taylor is the only golfer to win the prize, doing so in 2011 after becoming the youngest-ever winner of the Ladies’ British Open Amateur Championship.

As for the main award, that has only been won twice by golfers. Wales’ Dai Rees pipped racing driver Stirling Moss to the title in 1957 in the fourth year of the awards, a feat emulated by Sir Nick Faldo in 1989.

Surprisingly, Tony Jacklin missed out on the award in 1969 and 1970, despite his Open and US Open successes.

There was also controversy last year when the heroics of US Open champion Justin Rose, rising star Charley Hull and Europe’s victorious Solheim Cup team went unrecognised.

Bradley Neil :: BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year nomination

Tune in to the BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards on December 14 to see whether or not Bradley Neil can cap a great year by winning the Young Sports Personality of the Year title.  BBC 1, December 14.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor