There’s not just one Australian-born player named Jason making a name for himself on golf’s world stage.
While Jason Day was storming his way to a fifth PGA Tour triumph this season 26-year old Jason Scrivener had the Australian flag flying high at the Italian Open in Monza.
Scrivener and his caddy were heading to the famed Monza Grand Prix circuit, lying adjacent to the 27-hole Milan Golf Club complex, straight after a third round 67 to be sharing 10th place at 13-under par but well in sight of the chequered flag at four adrift of the leading trio.
Australia’s other ‘Jason’ – Jason Scrivener and just a round away from hopefully securing his 2016 European Tour card. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Germany’s Martin Kaymer birdied his first four holes in a round of 65 to be tied at the top of Frenchman Romain Wattel (66) and rookie Swede Jens Fahbring (68) contesting just his fifth European Tour event.
Kaymer’s won in his homeland, France, Holland and Scotland but not in Italy and is making the most of his appearance after failing to qualify for the lucrative FedEx Cup Play-Off Series.
In contrast, the 26-year old Capetown-born Scrivener, who moved with his family from Zimbabwe when he was 10-years old, is competing in his 18th event this season, and at 144th on the Race to Dubai, could very well lock-in full Tour membership for 2016 and thus avoiding a second straight journey to the European Tour School.
Scrivener last year finished 15th in the ISPS Handa Perth International and with that form packed into his suitcase traveled the next week to Spain and secured his European Tour card.
However after an indifferent first half of 2015 the 2007 Australian Junior Amateur champion has made the cut in five of his last six events including top-20s in his past two tournaments – the Russian Open (T14th) and last week’s KLM Open (T18th).
“I have learned a lot this first year on Tour not just on the golf course but getting used to a new life style traveling the world, staying in out of hotels and managing yourself, so it’s all very much a steep learning curve this first year,” he said.
“And getting familiar with this change in my life is starting to reflect in my performances and while I have not been playing fantastic, I have been making cuts and that always helps.
“Of course, the big goal is to try and secure my Tour card for next year and avoid having to go back to the Tour School but I have not been trying to think about it too much because if I were to secure conditional status for 2016 then I would be happy.
“So from where I was a few weeks ago on the Race to Dubai to where I am now anything is fine with me.”
Scrivener is coached by David Milne, who works out of the renowned Perth Joondalup Club, but grew-up and played much of his golf at the Mandurah Club.
And Scrivener has felt right at home on the tight tree-lined course Milano Golf Club course as it reminds him much of his beloved Mandurah.
Two young fans enjoy a snap with Australia’s Jason Scrivener. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
“Mandurah is short and tight and very tree-lined so as soon as I saw this course I thought I could do well and so far, it all seems to be going well,” he added.
And helping Scrivener settle into life on Tour is Adelaide-born Wade Ormsby who also has shown a welcome return to form, and with the race car loving golfer having jumped the start on Scrivener.
“Wade went for a test drive around Monza the other day after his round but then I am only getting to get in a few laps this afternoon,” he said smiling.
“But it’s just great that a circuit like Monza, that is known around the world, is just over the fence, and it’s also great for Mercedes to arrange for those who were interested to put on a test car so we can experience on a small scale just what it’s like for guys like Lewis Hamilton to contest a Grand Prix.”
Jason Scrivener mobbed by Italian youngsters for his autograph. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
