Scottish trio off to strong start in Dubai as one shakes off flu-like symptoms

In testing breezy conditions at Emirates Golf Club, Jamieson and Forrest carded matching two-under-par 70s in consecutive morning groups before Ferguson also signed for the same score in the afternoon wave, leaving the trio in a share of 12th spot as Francesco Molinari set the pace with a 65.

“Yeah, I am feeling a bit fluey,” Jamieson told The Scotsman. “Yesterday I started feeling s**** and then last night was a bit of a struggle due to feeling a bit hot then a bit cold. Once you get going, though, the adrenaline lifts you a bit.”

The Florida-based Scot, who signed for four birdies and two bogeys, is starting his 16th calendar campaign on the DP World Tour, recording a sole success in just over 400 starts in the Nelson Mandela Championship in 2012.

‘Still potentially got my best years ahead of me’

“It probably does feel like a lot (of seasons),” he admitted, laughing. “And I am playing against a lot of young guys these days. But I don’t necessarily feel old. I’m 42 and still potentially got my best years ahead of me. That’s what is so nice about our game.”

Jamieson may be one of the circuit’s experienced campaigners these days, but he admitted: “I’m always curious about ways to get better. Whether it is swing, short game, mental side, fitness or whatever. Yeah, there’s always one per cent somewhere.

“I’ve been tinkering a bit with my swing (with Bothwell Castle-based PGA pro Alan McCloskey) and, technically, I think I’m in a better place than I was last year and the year before that as well probably.

“It’s nothing that we haven’t identified before, but it seems to be getting there now. We like what we are seeing and the numbers on the Trackman and all that are starting to add up, which is great.”

Forrest, who carded three birdies in his “pleasing” opening salvo, won the Nexo Championship at Trump International Golf Links outside Aberdeen last season but reckons that papered over some cracks in his game.

“If you take the win out, last year wasn’t brilliant,” he declared. “I’d just like to play more consistently. Scores and results are sort of outwith your control in golf, but, just within myself, I just want to do things day-to-day a bit more consistently.”

‘It could easily have gotten away from you today’

Forrest reckoned he wasn’t far away from starting his calendar campaign with a top-ten finish in last week’s Dubai Invitational and this effort was further evidence that good things might lie ahead in 2026.

“I played solid,” he declared. “I’d liked to have been another couple under as I had enough chances and played well enough to shoot four or five under today. But, by Dubai standards, it was pretty cold this morning and the wind was strong, with the front nine especially playing tough. Yeah, it could easily have gotten away from you today, so happy to get in under par.”

Dubai-based Ferguson, who led at the halfway stage in the Rolex Series event 12 months’ ago before ending up in 16th spot after a tough final round, lit up his opening effort by finishing with three straight birdies.

Connor Syme signed for a 72, one better than Calum Hill, while Richie Ramsay and David Law both face a fight to make the cut on Friday after posting 74 and 75 respectively.