Having proven himself a world-class professional by cracking into the world's Top 32, Neil returned to Australia.

In his only Australian tournament appearance for 2005, Neil successfully defended the title he won in 2004. At the West Coast International in Perth, Neil defeated Matthew Bolton 5-2 in the final.

Neil also thrilled the crowd with his first ever maximum break in tournament play. His 147 in the second frame of the final was the first maximum ever compiled in Western Australia, and only the third ever made in the history of Australian tournament play.