Defending champion Scott Jamieson admits it would be an honour to retain his Nelson Mandela Championship presented by ISPS HANDA title in South Africa.The tournament takes place at the Mount Edgecombe Country Club in Durban in the same week the former president will be laid to rest after his death at the age of 95.The event has been brought forward a day to begin on Wednesday to ensure its conclusion does not clash with Mandela’s funeral on Sunday.

Jamieson, following his promotion from The Challenge Tour in 2010, won the inaugural tournament 12 months ago for his maiden European Tour victory in a rain-shortened 36-hole event.

He knows it will be a tough ask to repeat the feat but having finished in the money 20 times in 31 tournaments in 2013 he feels his game has improved.

“Off the back of last year, I can only be more confident,” he said.

“Every year on tour I’ve progressed. Last year, I got to play in two Majors and a World Golf Championship event.”It’s great to have any tournament carry Nelson Mandela’s name.”Obviously being so close to his sad passing last week, it definitely adds an edge to the tournament.

“It’s such a sad time for the country, with the loss of such an inspirational man. From my own personal point of view it’s different. It always was going to be different as the defending champion, but if I could win this year it would be extra special.

“To be able to retain it would be fantastic and certainly would be an incredible honour.

“I think the competition’s going to be fierce, especially, I imagine, among a lot of the South Africans.

“It’s going to be a tough week, but I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Victory a year ago for Jamieson opened many doors for the bearded S cot including a return visit to Durban in January for the Volvo Champions here he went within a whisker of capturing the Durban double.

“Winning in Durban was a catalyst to my best year yet,” he said.  

“I went from winning here to getting a spot in the Volvo Champions at Durban Country Club, where I came close to winning. My good finish there led on to getting into certain tournaments based on my position in the Race to Dubai.

“I played my first WGC event and also got to play in the Volvo World Match Play. It really opened up my eyes to how important winning is. It would be great to finish in the top 10 every week, but winning really opens up door.”

Jamieson will play the opening two rounds in the company of South African Branden Grace and England’s Robert Rock.