Scott Jamieson travelled over 8,000 miles and then had a 4.45am alarm call before proceeding to birdie four of his opening five holes on the opening day of the Joburg Open.

Jamieson, 36 eventually posted a four-under par 67 to be just four shots off the lead in the co-sanctioned European and Sunshine Tour event being held on the Randpark (one word) course in Joburg.

Scott Jamieson off to a fast start on day one of the Joburg Open

He said: “It’s been a lost distance for me from the U.S. to get here and then with an early 6.30am tee time I had my alarm going off at 4.15am so I was really upside down.

“I just had a couple of bag swings and maybe a couple of bad decisions near the end of my round but I put that down to a lack of sleep.”

“So, while it came as a surprise to get off to such a fast start I’m delighted to be back here at Randpark for a first time in two years and pleased also to be back here in South Africa for these three events”.

Aberdonian David Law is the top Scot among six in the predominantly South African field and capping his round with a fifth hole eagle ‘3’ in a five-under par 66 and in his first event since a mid-field finish in last month’s Scottish Championship at the Fairmont Resort near St. Andrews.

He said: “It was a good start to my week and especially after having a month off coming into this week.

“I did a lot of good work down back home as the weather wasn’t too bad and I just feel like my game is in good shape.

“I’ve played here quite a few times before but the greens are a lot firmer and the course it also firm which is different to previous times I’ve been here where the course has been a lot softer.

David Law the leading Scot on day one 2020 Joburg Open

“It’s making hitting fairways that little bit tougher while the rough is thick but it’s set-up well.

“I didn’t hit some great shots coming in which was disappointing but for the first 12 to 15 holes off the tee I was really good while I hit some good iron shots and holed some nice putts so all-in-all it was a nice day.

“It’s just also great that we have three events in a row here in South Africa because I just love coming down here and I’ve been coming here for quite a long time.

“I’ve also done okay here in the past so looking forward to the rest of this week and the next two weeks.”

Borders David Drysdale, who has contested all 12 Joburg Open’s since 2007, shot a level par 71.

The South African duo of Shann Norris and Wilco Nienaber signed for an eight-under par 63s to lead the field by a shot.