Scott Jamieson says Florida Swing for European Tour 'makes complete sense'

Florida-based Scott Jamieson has welcomed the possibility of some “home” gigs if the European Tour breaks new ground by staging events in the Sunshine State.

Scott Jamieson pictured during the Omega Dubai Desert Classic at Emirates Golf Club in January. Picture: Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images.

The unprecedented step is being “explored” after the option was made available by the PGA Tour on the back of its “strategic alliance” with the European Tour.

It is believed that three events in Florida are being considered if a planned Iberian Swing in April comprising tournaments in Tenerife, Gran Canaria and Portugal is unable to go ahead due to Covid-19 travel restrictions.

Possible venues have not yet been mentioned, but Richie Ramsay said it would be a “good” move and that view has been echoed by Jamieson, who lives in Ponte Vedra Beach with his wife, Natalie, and their three children.

“It’s obviously just a possibility at this stage, but it certainly got my attention,” the Glaswegian told The Scotsman of the chance of his home circuit joining him temporarily on the other side of the Atlantic.

“Firstly, selfishly, it would be a lot easier logistically for me. With all the measures and restrictions in place travel-wise, it would be nice just to jump in the car and drive to an event.

“Not only getting flights as far as availability and cost, but trying to time your test and results depending on departure time is pretty tricky and somewhat out of your control.

“The plan is obviously to go ahead as scheduled, which it should if we can get everyone there easily, safely and then not have to have a hotel quarantine.

“But a chunk of the membership have already been dealing with that and other restrictions since last year. So, arguably, it’s not really a level playing field as things stand.

“Things are proving very difficult in Europe and countries we would normally visit this time of year.

“So moving it to somewhere that will allow us to come and play safely with lesser restrictions makes complete sense.”

Jamieson played in 13 of the 22 events that formed a European Tour schedule after the circuit came out of a three-month coronavirus lockdown last year.

The 37-year-old has already made one journey across the Atlantic this season to tee up in three events in the Middle East and is in the field for next week’s tournament in Qatar.

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