Jamieson ‘delighted’ with his strong finish

France’s Robin Roussel claimed a share of the lead on day one of the Alfred Dunhill Golf Championship yesterday.

Roussel carded nine birdies, including five in a row from the 10th, in an opening seven-under-par 65 at L eopard Creek which was matched by Poland’s Adrian Meronk, with Scotland’s Scott Jamieson a shot behind following a 66.

E n g l a n d ’s Richard Bland, who is seeking a first European Tour title at the age of 47 and in his 468th event, is two shots off the lead after firing six birdies in the space of eight holes in his 67.

Jamieson, whose sole European Tour victory to date came in South Africa in 2 01 2 in an event reduced to 36 holes by bad weather, birdied four of his last five holes after recovering from losing a ball on the parthree 12th.

“I’m delighted to have a very strong finish but that’s what’s so good about this course, you’ve got three par-fives in the last seven holes so you know even if you’re over par early there’s going to be opportunities to take,” Jamieson said.

“Thankfully, I got off to a nice start and then was able to keep going as the round went on.”

Calum Hill is one under after carding a 71, with

David Law and David Drysdale a shot behind. Fife’s Connor Syme didn’t have the best of days after a six-over 78.

Paul Casey has entered next y e a r ’s Saudi International, despite pre viously saying he would be “a hypocrite” if he received appearance money to play in the event.

The English star, who is a Unicef ambassador, opted out of the inaugural event in 2019, citing concerns over the country’s human rights record.

Casey will be joined at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club from February 4-7 by fellow Ryder Cup players Rafa Cabrera- Bello, Tommy Fleetwood, Sergio Garcia, Ty r r e l l Ha t t o n , Ian Poulter, Justin Rose, He n r i k Stenson, Lee Westwood and Graeme McDowell, who won the title this year.

S c o t l a n d ’s Ke l s e y MacDonald lies one shot off the clubhouse lead after a r a i n - a ff e c t e d opening day of the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open de Espana.

MacDonald carded a four-under-par 68 at Real Club de Golf Guadalmina before torrential rain brought play to an early end, with Finland’s Sanna Nuutinen at the top of the leaderboard following a 67.