Neil’s driving ambition to take on Americans (From Daily Echo)

Neil Raymond’s driving ambition to take on Americans

5:05pm Thursday 21st July 2011 in Golf By Gordon Simpson, Senior Sports Reporter

CORHAMPTON amateur Neil Raymond will make his debut on the pro circuit this week, as he looks to mount a late charge for the Walker Cup.

The 25-year-old Hampshire star has received an invite to the English Challenge, which begins on Thursday, in Essex.

The Challenge Tour event is one of the last remaining chances for Raymond to force his way into the Great Britain & Ireland Walker Cup squad for September’s clash with the United States of America.

His stunning win in last month’s Brabazon Trophy – one of amateur golf’s top prizes – put him in the frame for a potential call-up.

But the likelihood is that Raymond will still need another big result before the team is announced next month.

He is not involved in this week’s final Walker Cup training squad, but a strong series of performances now would make him difficult to ignore.

After competing on the second tier of the European Tour this week, Raymond will tee it up in the English Amateur on Monday, before taking a week off ahead of a potential England appearance in the Home Internationals, after which the GB & Ireland team will be unveiled.

“I still don’t think that’s out of my grasp,” said Raymond of a Walker Cup place.

“There’s enough events left that, if I can put in some good performances I don’t think I can go unnoticed.

“But I’ve just got to keep playing well.

“I can’t select the team, I’ve got no part in that, so I’ve just got to go out and play golf to the standard I know I can perform at.

“If I do that then I will give them [the selectors] something to think about.”

Raymond will be hoping to emulate the 2010 heroics of Tommy Fleetwood at this year’s English Challenge.

Fleetwood finished one shot off the lead in Colchester last year, after receiving an amateur invite.

Raymond said: “I’m just getting over a slight injury to my back again, but if I can stay fit I feel I’m playing well enough that, if I’m at my best, I will be up there.”

Raymond’s Hampshire teammate Darren Wright is at Royal Aberdeen for the next three days with the Walker Cup training squad. And the Rowlands Castle player is hoping for a strong finish to his season in order to cement a place in the final team.

Wright will also compete in next week’s English Amateur, before heading to Sweden for the European Amateur and then the Home Internationals.

“I’m going into the English Amateur full of confidence, and I just need to see what happens,” said the 22-year-old.

“I know it’s only practice, but I’ve been shooting some low scores – six and seven-unders.

“It’s different come the competitions, but hopefully I can carry that form into them.

“The next three weeks are very important, especially with the Walker Cup selection coming up.”

Also in the field for the English Amateur, at Woburn, are Hampshire players Jon Watt (Brokenhurst Manor), Martin Young (Brokenhurst Manor), Tom Robson (Rowlands Castle), Colin Walsh (Hayling) and Elliot Groves (Dunwood Manor).