The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
‘Sticky situation’ par for the course for Jamieson
Scot must draw on all his experience in another fight to retain Tour card
Scott Jamieson believes he can use his experience to get out of a “sticky situation” and retain his European Tour card for next season.
Jamieson recorded four top-10 finishes in 2017 and was a career-best 26th on the Race to Dubai, but currently lies 126th with only the top 110 at the end of the season retaining their full playing privileges for 2019.
The Florida-based Scot, who also struggled to retain his card in 2015 and 2016, made a superb start to the Nordea Masters in Gothenburg with an opening six-under-par 64 to lie just two shots off the lead held by France’s Clement Sordet.
Blairgowrie’s Bradley Neil shot a 67 with Connor Syme of Drumoig carding a 69.
Jamieson told Sky Sports: “I’m obviously in a bit of a sticky situation as things stand but if I can keep days like today going then I’ll be OK.
“I’ve been in this situation before so I know what to do, I know you shouldn’t be panicking. It’s hard but you just have to keep going.
“When it comes down to being on the course it’s the old cliche of one shot at a time, but it’s not something you can ignore. You know where you stand so there is more pressure, but hopefully I can stand up to it.
“I feel like I’ve played quite well this summer, had a 12th and 13th and was OK in Ireland (T40th).
“Some of the other weeks were a bit disappointing because I felt like I was playing quite well, so I’m just picking up where I left off in Germany (Porsche European Open) and hopefully I can press on.
“A 64 sounds great. We had the better of the conditions this morning, I played the first 11 or 12 holes before it started getting too windy.
“There’s a bit of room off the tee but it’s about getting the distance and trusting the wind. It is gusting up and down so it’s going to be tricky.”
Jamieson shared second place with England’s Lee Slattery, with Sweden’s Christofer Blomstrand one of four players a shot further back at Hills Golf Club.
Pre-tournament favourite Thorbjorn Olesen, who is seeking a second win of the season to move into the automatic Ryder Cup qualifying places, birdied his last two holes to card a two-under-par 68.
Olesen received a free drop on the 14th when his wayward tee shot could not be found, but was deemed to have disappeared down what appeared to be a rabbit warren.
Former world number one Martin Kaymer is three shots off the pace after a 67 containing five birdies and two bogeys.
Neil made five birdies in his round to finish high up the leaderboard.
Scots Marc Warren and amateur Ryan Lumsden are at level par after the opening day with David Drysdale and Richie Ramsay a shot further back.
Stephen Gallacher needs a good second round, though, after a 75.