Fort Myers' George McNeill settling in at Senior PGA in Bradenton

BRADENTON — It’s not like it’s down the street from his old neighborhood, but George McNeill of Fort Myers found The Concession Golf Club in Bradenton to be a pretty friendly place on Friday. McNeil, 50, shot a solid 4-under par 68 in the second round of the 86 th Senior PGA Championship and is 2-under for the tournament, sitting in the top 30 heading into weekend play after a first round of 74. McNeil had about 12 faithful fans, friends, and family following him on the course on Thursday, April 16.

On Friday, April 17, that figure rose to about 20. If he keeps playing like he did on Friday, that number should continue to rise. First round: Bernhard Langer in three-way tie atop Senior PGA leaderboard “I’m only an hour and a half from home, but I’ve been able to accommodate a bunch of ticket requests so far,” said McNeil, who graduated from North Fort Myers High in 1993.

“Even people that I don’t know realize I’m from Southwest Florida. So it’s been good. Hopefully, we’ll get a few more out here over the weekend.

” McNeill’s first season on the PGA’s senior circuit got started even closer to home. He finished in a tie for fifth place at the 39 th annual Chubb Classic in Naples. He also tied for the runner-up spot at the James Hardie Pro Football Hall of Fame Classic in Boca Raton in his best Tour Champions rookie season finish so far.