Jamie is confident as he prepares for Scottish Men’s Open
Bridge of Weir teen Jamie Stewart is bidding to continue his winning form as he competes in the Scottish Men’s Open Championship at Gailes this weekend.
The 17-year-old from the Old Ranfurly club in Renfrewshire heads into the competition on the back of some impressive form having finished second in the Brabazon Trophy in England last weekend.
He also wound up second at the Scottish Boy’s Open Stroke Play earlier this season.
And his performances have seen Stewart move up 128 places up this week’s world amateur golf ranking to just outside the top 350.
Stewart said: “I’ve had a lot of top threes but not quite the win yet.
“It was a good weekend at the Brabazon. It was my best result as an amateur, finishing second in an A-class field. To think I was outside the cut at one point, five over with six holes to play in the second round.
“The difference was my putting, to be honest. I really started holing some long putts.
“Liam Johnston was on my bag for the final round and I told him over the first five holes I wasn’t comfortable, whether that was nerves or not, and I made two bogeys. I wasn’t hitting good shots, but I just told myself to be patient and find some momentum.
“I started making birdies and things took off. I was a wee bit gutted I didn’t win, but hopefully I can do it this week.”
There has been a Scottish drought of success since 2008, with Wallace Booth the last homecoming hero to claim the trophy.
However, it is hoped that Stewart or one of a host of counterparts are able to claim the coveted silverware.
Stewart added: “The Scottish field this week is probably better than the English, to be honest.
“I’m looking forward to it. I think if I play well I’ll be in contention. But I really need to keep my head down, go through my numbers on each hole, don’t get carried away and take one hole at a time.
“I played a practice round with a member on Tuesday, as I don’t have much experience of the course.”
Entry is free to all spectators, while those not attending can follow the scoring online via Scottish Golf’s new-look Championships page.