Jamieson Again Shows His Fondnes For The ‘Marriage’ Of Golf & Wildlife At Leopard Creek

8 months ago by Comments Off on Jamieson Again Shows His Fondnes For The ‘Marriage’ Of Golf & Wildlife At Leopard Creek

Scott Jamieson continues to enjoy what he describs as the ‘marriage’ between golf and the local wildlife to be just two shots from the lead on the opening day of the Arnold Dunhill Championship in South Africa.

The Florida-based Scot posted a five-under 67 that included seven birdies to be just two shots off the lead held by South African Robin Williams on the host Leopard Creek course at Malelane, to the east of Joburg.

Though sticking out like the proverbial on Jamieson’s scorecard is a 15th hole double-bogey slap in the middle of back-to-back birdies at 13 and 14 and also 17 and 18.

Jamieson continues to show his fondness for the course laid out beside the Crocodile River at the edge of Kruger National Park after finishing T11th in 2022, T6th in 2019 and T3rd in 2018

He said: “I just enjoy coming here, so much.

“It’s that marriage between being here right in nature’s backyard, here at Leopard Creek surrounded by wildlife versus the history and the natural links environment we get at the Old Course, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns for the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.

“It’s quite the contrast but also at the same time a nice marriage.

“This is an unbelievably unique place and it’s such a privilege to be able to come and play here.

“I always feel so relaxed when I’m here. I’m fortunate to be able to stay on the golf course and I get up in the morning, look out over the river and watch a bit of wildlife. Though the golf course is such a hard test of golf that it’s nice to be able to relax away from the golf course like that.”

And almost 24-hours since the joint USGA/R&A announcement of a 2028 start to ‘reeling-in’ the golf ball and reigning Amateur Champion and No. 1 world-ranking amateur Christo Lamprecht launched a 418-yard down the last

It left the 22-year-old South African just 126-yards to the pin but taking three shots for his birdie ‘4’.

Lamprecht’s drive, as good and impressive as it was, is still 24-yards shy of India’s Shiv Kapur’s drive of 442-yards he set 11-years ago at the 2012 Madeira Islands Open while two years later Belgium-born golfing bomber Nicolas Colsaerts launched a 447-yard drive down the 18th on day one of the 2014 Wales Open at Celtic Manor.

The young Springbok golfer’s score of 67 has him tied with Jamieson and one clear of countryman Charl Schwartzel whio Lamprecht will join next April at Augusta.

Aberdonian David Law signed for a 72, Doug McGuigan a 73 and Ewen Ferguson taking a ‘9’ at the last in a horror six-over 78.

 

 



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