Jamieson defining his career in SA
After turning professional in 2006, Scottish golfer Scott Jamieson is poised to take his career to the next level in South Africa.
As the 100th ranked player in the world, Jamieson took a five-shot lead going into Sunday's final round of the Volvo Golf Champions, a European Tour event at Durban Country Club.
“My first two years as a pro, I was just in the abyss,” Jamieson said.
He made slow progress up the paid ranks. In 2009, Jamieson secured his first win on the third-tier PGA EuroPro Tour in Europe, before making it to the secondary Challenge Tour in 2010.
“I guess I saw my way around the lower leagues of professional golf. I suppose it helps build your character, and I was fortunate enough to keep playing at a time when money wasn't necessarily being chucked at me.”
Jamieson won the first event of the 2013 season at the co-sanctioned European and Sunshine Tour rain-shortened Nelson Mandela Championship, down the road at Royal Durban Golf Club in December.
A week later, he finished tied for third in the co-sanctioned Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek Country Club.
Jamieson credits his improved play with finding 'something' in his swing.
“I found a little thing in my swing, and that was back at the Austrian Open, which I think was July or August.
“But ever since then, I've been a lot more comfortable with my driver, so I think I've been hitting quite a bit more fairways than what I have done the first half of last year and my rookie season on tour.
“So yeah, more fairways and greens and birdie opportunities.”
Jamieson fired a 68 in the third round on Saturday, six shots better than world No 6 Louis Oosthuizen. He also played with two-time champion of The Open, Ireland's Padraig Harrington, earlier in the week and beat him by a stroke.
“Golf is such a funny sport. You can play great or you can have a terrible day," Jamieson said.
“You always have your eye out, comparing yourself to them, but yeah, I managed to beat them both through the week, so that was nice.”
