Jamieson Again Takes A Liking To His ‘Special’ Tournament Venue

Scotland’s Scott Jamieson again showed a fondness for his ‘special’ event of the year in posting a 68 on the opening day of the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Malelane in South Africa.

Jamieson grabbed six birdies, three on each nine, in a four under score in hot and mostly blustery conditions on the Leopard Creek course located on the edge of the famed Kruger National Park and some 250-miles east of the capital Johannesburg.

South African Dean Burmester birdied his closing two holes in a score of a seven-under 65 to head the co-sanctioned field by a shot from Austrian Lukas Nemecz.

Scott Jamieson posts a four-under 68 on the opening day of the 2022 Alfred Dunhill C’ship at Leopard Creek

 

The World No. 58th ranked Burmester is the second highest world-ranked player competing this week behind past Open winner and World No. 51 Louis Oosthuizen, who shot a 71.

LIV Golf-based Branden Grace, and a winner of the event in 2014, quickly stamped his presence in signing for 67s.

Jamieson, and contesting a second event of the new 2022/23 season, is among a big group sharing eighth place at four-under and only three off the lead.

He said: “Anything around here is a nice start, and it was important to take full advantage of the nice, morning conditions with the golf course a little softer and a little less wind, so pleased with my score.

“The golf course is just phenomenal.  I’ve always loved coming here and every time I’ve come it just gets a little better, so thoroughly again enjoy being here.

“But saying that, I am not that comfortable off the tee at the moment as I’m not 100% sure if it’s going left or right, so thankfully it’s not going a long way either left or right while my iron play was pretty good.”

And Jameison’s record at event is marked by third in 2012, fourth in 2016, third in 2018 and sixth in his last showing in 2019 is a pretty good excuse to add the event to his schedule.

He said: “It’s always a special week for me, though maybe just a little too hot but then I am so lucky as I’ve got some great friends I’ve met over the years.

“It’s just great as I get to stay with them this week”.

Fellow Scots Grant Forrest posted a level par 72 while Marc Warren struggled under the weight of a six-over 78.

And in a rare move, players are being permitted to wear shorts in the tournament proper.



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