Golf: Jamieson eyes Augusta

Jan 16 2013 by Douglas Dickie, Rutherglen Reformer

Cathkin Braes golfer Scott Jamieson has his eyes on a return to Augusta - this time as part of the field in the Masters.

The 29-year-old played the course while serving a golf apprenticeship at Augusta State University in Georgia in the early noughties.

But he admits going back to compete for the Green Jacket would be a dream come true.

Scott is up to 72 in the world rankings despite seeing a five shot 54-hole lead evaporate at the Volvo Golf Champions in Durban.

He eventually had to settle for second place behind former Open champion Louis Oosthuizen.

His form so far this season has been exceptional, with his three starts seeing him clinch his maiden Tour victory at the Nelson Mandela Championships in South Africa, as well as third and second place finishes.

If he keeps that up, he is on course to break into the world’s top 50 by the end of March to secure his Masters place.

He said: “Augusta is within touching distance and if I can keep this form going it could put me in there.

“I’ve got to look at the next few events as baby steps towards it, but if I can get in it would be a great accomplishment.

“Ever since I was a youngster playing at Augusta in my college days, I’ve always dreamt of returning there as a professional.

Despite missing out on a second Tour victory at the weekend, Scott was philosophical afterwards

And he believes he is in good shape going into this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship: “Even putting my first two events aside, if someone had told me I’d finish second in the Golf Champions event at the start of the season I would have taken it.

“Playing in those first two events might have given me a wee advantage going into this year, but it was nice to return from the break and continue where I left off.

“I knew I had to shoot low on Sunday and with a great champion like Louis behind me, it was always going to be difficult.”