Scotland’s Craig Lee and Scott Jamieson could breath a lot easier in making the cut in the Hong Kong Open.
The Scottish duo embarked on the 12,000 mile round trip in a last tournament effort to wrap-up full 2016 European Tour membership.
Lee grabbed five birdies in a 67 to be tied on two under par with Jamieson who capped a similar 67 with a third hole eagle and then birdied three of his closing six holes.
Lee and Jamieson arrived in the former colonial stronghold lying a respective 103 and 106th on the Race to Dubai money list with 111th the cut off point tomorrow night (SUN) for the year.
Visiting American Dustin Johnson missed the UBS Hong Kong Open cut but then the Scottish pair of Craig Lee and Scott Jamieson can breathe a lot easier in the assurance of playing all four rounds.
Picture: Thos Caffrey | Golffile
Lee said: “Making the cut is a huge bonus and I can breathe a little easier as that was the big goal coming here to Hong Kong to make the cut.
“I was quietly confident of doing that and particularly coming off a sixth last week in Portugal but then you never know how you are going to react under the pressure, so to come all this way to Hong Kong knowing my card is safe for next season takes a lot of pressure of my shoulders.”
Jamieson also a very relived Scot and now ensures he’s retained full playing rights for a fifth straight season.
He said: “I have never been in this situation before in my career in fighting for my card but I’ve played well these two rounds, so very delighted with my efforts.
“Also this Hong Kong course has never been that user-friendly so to shoot a 67 today was very pleasing.
“It means I can now go out over the weekend with that pressure hanging over my head.”
In contrast Chris Doak is headed to next fortnight’s Q-School after missing the cut with rounds of 71 and 72.
England’s Justin Rose, and the highest-ranked player in the co-sanctioned event, added a 65 to his opening 66 to show the way by a shot at nine under par.
However visiting American Dustin Johnson, ranked No. 8 in the world and one spot lower than Rose, was headinghome early missing the level par cut-off mark with scores of 69 and 72.
