Four Scots are lurking dangerously in contention heading to the weekend rounds of the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek at Malelane, South Africa.
Not for some time has so many Tartan flags appeared at the pointed end of a European Tour event with Scott Jamieson posting a 66 and Marc Warren a 67 to be sharing second place at six-under par on the wildlife abounds course.
One shot behind is Durban-born Scot, Doug McGuigan (66) and Border’s David Drysdale who overcame an arm injury that forced him out after one round of last week’s South African Open to shoot a 69 and be tied with McGuigan in fourth place at five-under par.
American David Lipsky grabbed an eagle and four birdies in his 66 to lead the co-sanctioned event by a shot at seven-under par.
The Dunhill-backed event has been won the past six years by South Africans but after two round of the fifth event of the 2019 new season it is a sea to Scottish flags on the board.
Jamieson stormed his way to the top thanks to five birdies over his fourth to ninth holes and while he bogeyed his 11th he bounced back with birdies at 12 and 15.
The perfect touch, @MarcWarrenGolf 👌🏻#dunhillChamps pic.twitter.com/YZlhoxyzDu
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) December 14, 2018
It was Jamieson’s best round in over two months since signing for final round 66 in October’s Portugal Masters.
Warren seems intent on making the most of ‘return’ to the Tour after losing full Tour status following the official close of the 2018 season in birding three of his closing five holes.
The Glaswegian had failed to retain his card for a first time in some eight years on the Tour in finishing 130th on the money list but to his credit he entered Q-School and won back full status.
McGuigan, 38 was born in Durban and while he now resides in the capital, Johannesburg he’s Scot to the core with his Alloa-born father having played football for Falkirk, Blackpool and Durban United.
And McGuigan is no stranger to success in the Rainbow Nation having won eight times on the Sunshine Tour.
Drysdale’s return to competition comes after a bizarre incident last week in Joburg when the 43-year old from Cockburnspath bizarrely caught his arm on an electric gate of the house he and wife, Vicky were residing.
He withdrew after the first round and following treatment Drysdale felt the arm was strong enough to tee-up at Leopard Creek and managing four birdies, including birdies at the second, sixth and ninth for a second day running/
He said: “I played nicely today in tricking conditions.
“My arm seemed okay after giving it three days rest. It was really just some bruising so I’m fine now and very much looking forward to the weekend after having to take last weekend off.”
Glencruitten’s Robert MacIntyre is headed for a third pay cheque in just four events with full Tour membership and posting a 71 to be sharing 20th place at three-under.
Also making the cut was Aberdonian David Law with scores of 72 and 73 to be also guaranteed a second payment is as many events.
