Scott is happy to put his family before fairways
As a Scot exiled in Florida, Scott Jamieson knows all about the challenges of leaving your family halfway round the world to play professional golf.
The 36-year-old Glaswegian lives on the outskirts of Jacksonville, and he would have loved the chance to play when the PGA Tour resumed.
Instead, he is waiting for the European Tour to return on July 22. But he perfectly understands why some Europeans have stayed at home with loved ones, rather than make an immediate return to golf in the States.
Rory McIlroy was not quite so sympathetic towards Ryder Cup team-mates Tommy Fleetwood and Francesco Molinari, who are sitting out these initial few weeks.
And with three young children at home, Jamieson recognises the delicate decision that players have been forced to make at this unusual time.
“I completely understand people who don’t want to put their family at risk,” said Jamieson .
“I saw what Rory had said. His situation is different. He’s already in the US and he doesn’t have any family.
“But it’s a big upheaval to move your family, and everyone’s situation is different.
“Right now, families are not allowed on site at tournaments. So they would be in a house or in a hotel while you travel up to an event, and they can’t do any of the usual family stuff.
“I intend to play the first two or three weeks in the UK when the European Tour resumes, starting at the British Masters.
“But if the quarantine rules are still in place, I won’t play.
“I won’t come and sit in a hotel room for two weeks. I’m not willing to leave my wife and children for a month for only two weeks of golf.”
The European Tour are hoping restrictions will be eased in time for players to fly in and compete in the UK swing. By then, there will have been six completed events across the Atlantic – more than enough time to whet Jamieson’s appetite.
He has competed in a couple of Monday qualifiers for events on the Korn Ferry Tour – the level below the PGA
Tour – as a way of sharpening his competitive instincts, so he can hit the ground running at Close House.
“I wouldn’t use the word ‘jealous’ about the guys on the PGA Tour. But I am eager to get back to my day job,” he said.
“Whenever you sit at home and watch a major on TV, it pushes some buttons in terms of motivation, and it’s the same feeling here.
“There now’s a real purpose to my practice, and I’m champing at the bit. I want to feel that heat of battle.
“You realise you love that adrenaline. You can walk away from a tournament and you may not have won. But if you’ve been in contention, it’s great fun under pressure and it motivates you to do better.”
Jamieson is 46th on the Race To Dubai, while he’s currently at 228th in the World Rankings.
And he is relaxed about the idea that players in America are gaining an unfair advantage in the pursuit of ranking points with all other main tours on lockdown.
“It only helps the guys who play well,” he adds.
“They have an unfair advantage to earn points. But if they play poorly, we can overtake them and move up the rankings quicker when our events start.
“I’d had a pretty good start to the season – and I’m ready to get back out there.”