Scott Jamieson in 'good position' as scores soar on 'tough day' in Qatar Masters

Scott Jamieson emerged from a day described as “mentally and physically draining” by one of his fellow players in a “good position” heading into the weekend in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
Scott Jamieson plays his tee shot on the first hole during the second round of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Education City Golf Club in Doha. Picture: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images.Scott Jamieson plays his tee shot on the first hole during the second round of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Education City Golf Club in Doha. Picture: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images.
Scott Jamieson plays his tee shot on the first hole during the second round of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters at Education City Golf Club in Doha. Picture: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images.

The overall combined score in relatively calm conditions for Thursday’s opening round at Education City Golf Club in Doha had been 28-under-par but, as had been predicted earlier in the week, day two was a totally different proposition.

In a wind gusting up to 25mph in the afternoon, the corresponding figure was 226-over-par, with the later starters, including Jamieson, facing a real battle from start to finish.

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Dane Jeff Winther made the most of being out in the morning as he carded a second 67 to sit on eight-under, leading by two shots from a group that includes 2014 Ryder Cup match-winner Jamie Donaldson.

Belgian Thomas Pieters sits on five-under, with the 2016 Ryder Cup player summing up how tough it had been for him and the other afternoon starters, with a stuffy heat adding to the challenge.

“Mentally and physically draining – looking forward to a shower and sitting on the bus with the AC,” he declared.

It was an up-and-down day for Jamieson, who, after opening with a 67, had moved to within a shot of the lead following birdies at the second, sixth and seventh.

The Florida-based player was then stopped in his tracks by a quadruple-bogey 7 at the eighth, where his second shot found the water and was almost in it again as the wind caught his next effort with a pitching wedge.

It was gutsy stuff as he bounced back with birdies at the tenth and 12th only to see that good work undone by two dropped shots over the closing stretch.

“It was a tough day, so if you’d have offered me level par on the first tee I probably wouldn’t have fancied I could beat it. I wouldn’t have been too upset with it,” said Jamieson afterwards.

“Obviously I got off to a really good start then had a bit of a blip on number eight, which was a sore one.

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“Then again I got it back and I am disappointed to drop two. I feel like I should have been a couple better, but I’m in a good position.”

David Law, who led after an opening 64, was still out in front after covering his opening 11 holes in one-under before a run of five bogeys in six holes left him having to settle for a 75.

On three-under, he’s sitting in a tie for 23rd alongside Grant Forrest, who was delighted with a 68 - one of the best rounds of the day.

“It was a good score,” said Forrest, who is now working with Surrey-based Scot Hugh Marr. “I played really solid. When the wind is up like that you have to be in control of the golf ball.

“For the most part I did that and only one bogey on the card, so I’m happy with the day’s work after leaving a few out there yesterday.”

David Drysdale (level-par) and Richie Ramsay (one-over) are also on course to make the cut, as is Connor Syme, who is among a small group still to complete their second round and stands on level-par with two holes to play.

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