Scott Jamieson declared he’s got ‘nothing to lose’ after grabbing seven birdies in a bogey-free seven-under 65 to share the lead in the thunder, lightning and rain affected Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in Doha.
Jamieson, 39, capped his round with a pair of closing birdies, including landing a 40-yard greenside bunker shot at the last to just four-feet on the host Doha Golf Club course.
The Scot was then joined in the lead by Kiwi Daniel Hillier and with three other Scots – Stevie Gallacher, Robert MacIntyre and defending champ Ewen Ferguson – sharing third in signing for 66s.
The presence of thunder, lightning and rain early afternoon meant half the field still had to complete their first rounds when play resumes Friday morning Qatar time.
NOTHING TO LOSE ….
Declares 🏴 @scottjamieson54 @MigomBank who produces a lowest score in 3⃣0⃣ rounds @CBQatarMasters to share lead with a 6⃣5⃣ @DohaGolfClub as he seeks to retain ‘2⃣4⃣ card 👏
Read: https://t.co/oc9nWYIrIy
✅ @TOURMISS @Record_Sport (Bernie) pic.twitter.com/DB7Tih5Shi
— Golf & Science News (@TOURMISS) October 26, 2023
Jamieson, 39, arrived into Doha lying 119th on the Race to Dubai money-list and three places outside the leading 116 who, after this week’s final ‘regular’ season event, will retain full 2024 DP World Tour member status.
He said: “There’s nothing to lose anymore, right? If I’m being honest, the last month or so, that’s maybe been the issue.
“I’ve been worrying about the guys around me and trying to just keep my neck in front. I’m on the wrong side of the money list at present, so I’ve got to go and get it”.
Jamieson has held onto full playing rights every season since joining the Tour full-time in 2011, and it’s only been his past two weeks competing in Spain, and where he missed both cuts, that has seen him drop outside the top-116.
In contrast, his Qatar opening round has him projected to jump 76 places on the money list and into 43rd position that would see him remarkably qualify among the leading-50 for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Jamieson is making a 10th appearance in the Qatar event since making his debut in 2012. His opening 65 is a best by a shot in 30 rounds in the Qatar capital while it made a mockery of his past two events in Spain, where Jamieson missed the cut in both averaging 72 over his four rounds.
He said: “I’m delighted with that start. It was pretty solid tee-to-green and I managed to hole some putts today, which has probably let me down in the last few weeks.
“Certainly, I’ve been hitting the ball well enough to do better than I have done, but today was a different story”.
Ferguson capped his round with a hat-trick of birdies from the 10th as he seeks to join Paul Lawrie as a double Doha winner.
He said: “I love this golf course and, when it got quite windy towards the end, I enjoyed it and it was good fun. Not as different as I thought. It’s in immaculate condition again – it’s just a bit hot”.
And Marc Warren, who lies 117th on the money list and one place outside of also retaining his 2024 Tour card, posted a two-under 70 to be inside the top-25 when play was halted for the day.
