Scots Scott Jamieson and Richie Ramsay head to the final round of the Irish Open agonisingly within reach of an Open Championship tee time.
Jamieson, 33 jumped on the coat tails of double Ryder Cup winning and playing partner, Peter Hanson to match the Swede’s 66 and move to 11-under and tied with Ramsay, who posted a 67 in the Irish event on a sun-splashed Portstewart.
The Tartan duo share 11th and trailing just five shots behind the leading pair of Spanish sensation Jon Rahm (67) and little known American Daniel Im (68) who head the $US 7m event at 17-under par.
While Swedish-born Hanson capped his round with a third hole ace, and the 11th of his pro career, Jamieson was delighted with his effort of seven birdies.
The only disappointment for the Glaswegian was dropping a shot at the last.
Scott Jamieson “fed off” Peter Hanson on day three of the Irish Open
He said: “It helped my playing partner, Pete, had a nice hole-in-one there on the third and he followed it up with a birdie on 4 as I then felt he was leaving me for dead.
“He was driving me along initially and we fed off each other all day. It was great”.
Jamieson, and still seeking a second Tour victory, capped his round with back to back birdies at seven and eight and also on the two back nine par 5s, the 13th and 14th.
He said: “To finish with a bogey always leaves a sour taste in your mouth and aside from that I didn’t do much wrong to be honest but give me six under on the first tee this morning I would have taken it.
“There’s so much at stake with these Rolex Series events that it’s important that you come to these events with your A Game and you try and take advantage because you can play well in the wrong tournaments and not really get anywhere”.
Richie Ramsay delights a young fan.
Jamieson has contested three of the last four Open Championships but is yet to contest all four rounds.
Jamieson and Ramsay each need to be among the leading three inside the top-1o not yet exempt, to earn a Royal Birkdale tee time.
Jamieson said: “This year has been good to me so far but then I have gone a little off the boil the last few weeks so.
“My score today makes securing a spot a little more realistic as I was sharing 45th place at the start of the day so to get myself up with the chance of going to Birkdale is very pleasing”.
Ramsay highlighted his round just missing an eagle putt on the par 5, 1th but moments later making sure of the eagle “3” and the next, the par 5, 14th and then also slam dunking his second shot on 16 only for the ball to come back out but stop only two feet from the flag.
He then tapped in for birdie along with taking birdie at the last.
He said: “It was pretty steady early on but then a couple of loose shots at eight and 11 but I just played lovely over the last six holes
“But when the weather was like it was this morning with blue skies you have to take advantage.
“The pins were not all that easy but there was no giveaways, so I am delighted to walk off with a 67”,
The Scot is no stranger to The Open having contested the Major on six occasions since 2007, and also including teeing up at Birkdale a year later.
He said: “There is definitely a low score in my bag but it just nice to be in the mix heading to a final round.
“I felt my play has deserved a low one for a while now but I have not got that much back in return with my ball striking the best for some years while my driver is an absolute weapon so I can afford to be aggressive.
“So, it would be a great reward to win one of The Open spots but if not, then I can take this good form to Dundonald and try my luck at the Scottish”.
