Jamieson bags first European Tour title

Scot makes breakthrough in weather-hit Nelson Mandela Championship

Great Scott: Jamieson is all smiles after winning the Nelson Mandela Championship at Royal Durban

Scott Jamieson’s rapid climb through golf’s professional ranks hit another major milestone over the weekend when the Scot sealed his first European Tour victory.

The Glasgow man defeated England’s Steve Webster and Eduardo De La Riva of Spain in a tense play-off to win the weather-curtailed Nelson Mandela Championship in Royal Durban, the opening European Tour event of the 2013 schedule.

Jamieson started the final day six shots off the pace but, with the event shortened to a 36-hole sprint after heavy rain washed out the first two days, a blistering 57 – that’s right, a 57, a feat matched by South Africa’s Jaco Van  Zyl – on the shortened Royal Durban layout proved good enough for a share of top spot once all 156 players had finished.

Webster and De La Riva had already set the clubhouse benchmark at seven-under-par with rounds of 60 and 61 respectively before Jamieson finished, and all three men then had to wait several hours to see if any of the afternoon starters would surpass them.

The leader after the first round, Tim Clark, looked most likely when he followed eight straight pars with an approach to two feet at the ninth and he then holed a putt from the fringe at the tenth to make it a four-way tie at the top.

But needing to birdie one of the last two for an outright win the South African bunkered his approach to the 17th, went over the green and three-putted from there for a double-bogey six.

Thus, the destiny of the opening tour title of the season was decided by a play-off where, on the first trip back down the 18th, a bogey by De La Riva ended his chances. Then, when Webster found trouble down the left on the second extra hole, the title was Jamieson’s.

Afterwards, the elated Scot said: “To get your name on any European trophy is a fantastic achievement but it’s a little more special when it’s for someone like Nelson Mandela.

“At the start of the day, I probably didn’t think I would be standing here holding the trophy but I knew I needed a fast start and I was lucky enough to get that.

“It’s amazing; I’ve got to give a special mention to my wife Natalie, my family, Nike golf, everyone at my home club of Cathkin Braes in Scotland and all the other people who has ever helped me get to his point. I couldn’t have done it without them.”

Jamieson’s win continues a calendar year of incredible success for Scots on the European Tour, following wins for Paul Lawrie in the Qatar Masters and the Johnnie Walker Championship, as well as Richie Ramsay’s victory in the European Masters.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor