Golf:One year on from last-man-in Branden Grace winning the Golf Champions Scotland's Scott Jamieson could well do exactly the same thing at Durban Country Club tomorrow. The 29-year-old from Glasgow will take a five-stroke lead into the final round of the European Tour's opening event of the year.
Jamieson, 15 under par after a 68, is part of the winners-only 33-man field thanks to his victory last month at the Nelson Mandela Championship — also staged in the South African city. Grace left it even later to earn his spot 12 months ago, capturing the Joburg Open and then seven days later beating compatriots Ernie Els and Retief Goosen in a play-off at Fancourt.
The main threats to Jamieson in the race for the first prize are 2010 British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen, Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee and Frenchman Julien Quesne. They all stand 10 under, Quesne posting a 67, but Jaidee only a 73 and Oosthuizen a 74.
Padraig Harrington moved through the field after a third round of 67 took him to eight under, but there is still plenty of work to be done if he is to challenge for the title tomorrow. Shane Lowry is next best of the Irish on seven under, while Michael Hoey (four under) and Darren Clarke (two under) are too far back to challenge.
Jamieson came into the tournament as a member of the world’s top 100 for the first time in his life — at 100th — but could end it with all manner of exciting possibilities opening up for him. Never having played a world championship, he would be looking at a place in next month’s 64-man Accenture Match Play in Arizona and being in the top 50 at the end of March would give him a dream debut in the US Masters at Augusta.
Not bad for someone who failed in his first three attempts to survive the European Tour qualifying school before coming through the Challenge Tour three years ago. Oosthuizen held a one-shot overnight lead, but went to the turn in a worst-of-the-day 40 and needed three birdies in the next four holes to reignite his hopes.
Jaidee was the first to take advantage, going three clear after birdies at the second and third, but he also took six at the long eighth whereas Jamieson hit a brilliant second shot to five feet and made it for eagle.
That three-shot swing brought him level and he moved three in front by chipping in from 25 yards at the 11th, making a 12-footer on the next and then leaving himself a tap-in at the 339-yard 13th.
