Scott Jamieson ready to enjoy Dunhill week with 'weight off shoulders'

Twelve months ago, the Florida-based Glaswegian went into the $5 million event sitting 119th in the Race to Dubai and was running out of time to move above the card cut-off line.

It was timely, therefore, that he produced his best performance of the season - a tie for fifth behind compatriot Bob MacIntyre - to pick up around £100,00 and jump to 88th on the points list.

On the back of that eye-catching effort, Jamieson retained his full playing privileges on the main tour for the 16th consecutive campaign, which was duly illuminated in a blaze of glory last month.

Bridging a 14-year gap, the 42-year-old landed a second DP World Tour victory by winning the Nexo Championship at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire.

That earned Jamieson an exemption until the end of the 2028 season, meaning he’s teeing up as part of a ten-strong Scottish contingent this week at Carnoustie, Kingsbarns and St Andrews in a totally different mindset from a year ago.

“Off the back of a good result last year, I’m delighted to be back at the Dunhill and playing three great courses again,” he admitted. “It was great to get the win a few weeks ago. But the competitor in me is that this is a new week and I want to do as well as I can. I think away from the course it has probably lifted a weight off my shoulders. I’m no longer worrying about things and what is potentially next.

Place in Nedbank Challenge field is a ‘bonus’

“I’ve done this long enough that I would probably be at peace if maybe it was the end. I don’t want it to be. But I work hard and, at the end of the day if it wasn’t good enough, then fine. I play with more guys who were born in the 2000s than I do in the 1980s.”

Through winning the European Swing, Jamieson earned a Category Oa status, meaning he’s up near the top of entry lists at the moment and not having to worry about whether or not he will be getting into fields for the rest of the season.

“I didn’t realise where I would go in,” he admitted, smiling. “That will reset next year. But you also get a bonus of getting into the Nedbank (a limited-field event in South Africa in early December, as well, so that is a chance to kickstart things for next season.”

On arriving home in Ponte Vedra Beach in Florida following his victory, Jamieson found that his street had been turned into a ‘Little Scotland’ by his neighbours.

“Yeah, it was amazing,” he said of that. “I am really lucky where I live as we are on a great street. Yeah, everyone was out waiting for me and it took me by surprise as I was more interested in taking an afternoon nap when I got back. It was a nice surprise when I got home.”

The welcome party was led by his American wife Natalie and their three children - Zoe, Oscar and Max - and seeing how delighted they were made it all the more special for the Glaswegian.

“Yeah, I think that’s one of the best things about it,” he said. “They now understand what dad does, so, yeah, it is cool that I could take a trophy home to them.”