Scott Jamieson makes a triumphant return this week to competition this week and chasing a winning Durban double in his debut appearance in the Volvo Champions.
Jamieson brilliantly broke through for a maiden Tour success a month ago capturing the rain-shortened second event of the 2013 Race to Dubai schedule – the inaugural Nelson Mandela Challenge.
Scott Jamieson now looking to win for a second time in three event in the South African city of Durban. (Photo – www.scottjamieson.com)
‘Mr 57’ stunned his rivals producing a second and final round score of an eight under par 57 on a shortened Royal Durban course to win a play-off with a tap-in birdie.
This week’s Durban Golf Club course is just a 15-minute drive from where Jamieson reigned supreme at Royal Durban.
Jamieson said: “It’s going to be really nice travelling back to Durban.
“The city will always be special to me given it’s where I won my first Tour event and only just last month, so in some ways I wasn’t expecting to be back here so soon.
“So to have qualified for the Volvo Champions is now even more special and hopefully I can win the Durban double.”
Jamieson is among an elite field of 33 ‘winners only’ competing in South Africa’s third largest city and each anxious for the New Year’s first prize cheque of Euro 350,000.
However victorious Ryder Cup captain, Jose Maria Olazabal could be a late withdrawal given the passing earlier in the week of Valderrama’s ‘Jimmy’ Patino.
Patino helped bring the 1997 Ryder Cup to Spain and Olazabal is certain to be present at the funeral of the 82-year old.
European Masters winner Ramsay returns to South Africa having captured the 2010 South African Open Championship.
Ramsay hasn’t competed since finishing mid-field some six weeks ago in the 2012 season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
The Aberdonian was then in Cape Town celebrating a delayed honeymoon with new wife, Angela.
Other Scots competing include double Volvo Champions qualifier, Paul Lawrie who last year captured a second Qatar Masters title along with victory in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.
And Colin Montgomerie competes in the event for a third straight year qualifying by virtue of his eight-time European Order of Merit victories.
However the biggest threat will come from reigning Open Champion, Ernie Els who South African Open titles in 1998 and 2011 on the Durban Country Club course.
