Jason Neve insists that remarks he made over the mass failure of Hampshire PGA players in the Open Championship qualifiers were taken out of context.

The Cams Hall club professional and Hampshire PGA captain was portrayed as implying that the Hampshire PGA system, with its many pro-ams, was holding tournament players back and that the county should prepare them better with more 72-hole, all professional, touraments.

But Neve has been quick to point out that he is, in fact, a great advocate of the Hampshire pro-am system.

He says that if young professionals have got tournament ambitions, there are, through the South Region and beyond, plenty of suitable events to hone their competitive game.

"What I said in fact was that if players wanted to become more competitive at the top level, they should play in more 72-hole tournaments - but not necessarily in Hampshire," said Neve.

"There are plenty of opportunities elsewhere for them to do that. From my own point of view, Hampshire PGA provides me with all I want to play in and all I can play in. My duties at Cams Hall wouldn't allow me to play in any more. That's why I don't do the southern region events.

"It's unfair to criticise the Hampshire PGA or its members after this year's unsuccessful attempt to qualify for the British Open.

"It's also wrong to suggest that by re-arranging the county PGA tournament format that we could improve our chances of qualifying.

"I played at Fairhaven where many European and US Tour players failed to get through despite the fact that they compete in 72-hole tournaments week in week out.

"Pro-am tournaments give our county professionals an important opportunity to be competitive and to hone their mental strengths - and maybe one day follow in the footsteps of Richard Bland, John Lovell, John Hay and Scott Watson who all earned the right to play in The Open while competing in HPGA events.

"There are many opportunities for our young players who want to make a living out of playing golf and we need to support and encourage our talented players throughout the county."