Exclusive by Bernie McGuire …..
Scotland’s Scott Jamieson is now targeting making his way to the UAE early next month as he proudly heads sharing third place into the weekend rounds of the Estrella Damm Andalucia Masters in Spain.
Jamieson was the very first out on day two of the Spanish event and took full advantage of the glorious conditions in posting a six-under 66 for a 10-under tally on the host Royal Sotogrande course on the Costa del Sol.
It has the Scot lying five shots adrift of Spaniard Jorge Campillo who signed for a 65 for a four-shot bogey-free lead at 15-under.
Scott Jamieson now turning his focus to playing closing two 2024 events in the UAE
England’s Daniel Brown (70) is second at 11-under and one clear of Jamieson who shares third with another Englishman in Jordan Smith (67) Frenchman Julien Guerrier (72).
Biggest threat now is Jon Rahm, who bogeyed the last in 66 to be just two back of Jamieson at eight-under and looking to make ammends late last month in losing out in a play-off for the Open de Espana while also collect a Spanish first and what would be a fourth ‘home’ victory in just 10 Tour events.
Jamieson’s round included a sensational early six holes from the second to seventh where he posted six straight one-putts, and capped in holing a 22-footer for eagle at the sixth and four other birdies for a meagre tally of just eight putts from his first to seventh hole.
He bogeyed the eighth while Jamieson could manage one further birdie, a chip-in at 14, for a course total of just 25 putts.
As well, Jamieson’s 10-under 36-hole effort is his lowest opening two-round tally all season and just two shots shy of matching an opening best of 12-under in his 372 Tour starts.
Jamieson said: “Really happy with that performance today and with the front nine very kind to me today.
“I too advantage of the fresh greens. They were beautiful this morning and I managed to roll in some nice putts.
“I also hit the ball well all day, giving myself a lot of chances though my back nine was not as good but was able to hole the putts and shoot par on my inward half.
“So, all in all, a couple of strong days”.
Jamieson arrived on the Costa del Sol lying 88th on the Race to Dubai and is being projected to move to 60th that at this stage would qualify him for both UAE events.
Jamieson would need to be top-70 to qualify for the November 7th starting Abu Dhahi HSBC Championship and the folllowing week’s final event, the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai
It’s why the Scot remains undecided whether or not to board Sunday night’s direct from Malaga for South Korea where the Tour tees-up at the Genesis Championship and the third last event of the season.
Jamieson said: “My goal is to play both events in the UAE and not have to travel to South Korea.
“I had a nice start to my year, so to not make it to at least one of those two events would be a shame, so I would welcome a big finish over the next couple of days.
“Of course, if I do end-up having a big week here in Spain I will go to South Korea as it could be a big week over there and then you are definitely talking about being in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
“All I can do is see what transpires on Sunday night”.
The trio of Calum Hill (69), David Law (67) and Richie Ramsay (72) are three-under while doon-to-be dad Grant Forrest capped his round, and like Jamieson, in eagling the sixth a round of 69 to make the cut by a shot at two-under.
