Scott Jamieson on the prowl once again at Leopard Creek

Scott Jamieson is big game hunting once again at Leopard Creek after producing a strong start in his latest bid to land the Alfred Dunhill Championship.

Scott Jamieson in action during the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek Country Golf Club. Picture: Warren Little/Getty Images

The Florida-based Scot birdied four of the last six holes to card a six-under-par 66 in the opening round, leaving him just one shot off the lead.

Frenchman Robin Roussel had set the clubhouse target in the morning wave with a splendid 65 before that was matched by the lanky Pole, Adrian Meronk.

Jamieson, who recorded his sole European Tour win in South Africa in the 2012 Nelson Mandela Championship, has been knocking at the door at Leopard Creek, which sits on the edge of the Kruger National Park.

The 36-year-old Glaswegian finished fourth behind home player Brandon Stone in 2016 before sharing third spot two years ago as American David Lipsky landed the title.

On a course that had been softened by overnight rain, Jamieson birdied first, sixth and ninth to be out in 32. He dropped his only shot of the day at the par-3 12th before picking up birdies at the 14th, 15th, 17th and 18th in a strong finish.

“Delighted,” said Jamieson of his day’s work. “It was pretty tough out there this afternoon. We had some gusting winds, so a strong finish for a 66 is perfect as far as I’m concerned.”

He described his sign off as “impressive” but added: “That’s what this place can offer. You’ve got three reachable par-5s in the last seven holes if you can get a good tee shot away.

“But you may be having a putt for eagle or walking away with a double-bogey or worse. But I think that’s what everyone loves so much about this place - it asks every question of you.”

Given his good record, does he feel comfortable at this venue? “I don’t think there is such a thing as comfortable on this course, especially since they have changed the grass,” he said.

“It has become so much firmer and faster, which I really enjoy. I like a tournament where the winner is 10-under, not 20-under.”

Jamieson sits 77th in this season’s Race to Dubai and needs to climb into the top 60 to get in the DP World Tour Championship in the UAE in a fortnight’s time.

“It has been a really solid year. I’ve made a lot of cuts, just haven’t had any big finishes, so I’ve got a bit of work to do if I want to make it to the Race to Dubai final,” he said.

“I played nicely last week (in the Joburg Open). I didn’t drive it as well as I would have liked to. I drove it a little nicer today, so hopefully that continues.”

Calum Hill, who had dropped three shots in three holes before finishing with a birdied, fared next best among the Scots with a 71, the same score tournament favourite Stone signed for.

In his first outing as a European Tour winner, Bob MacIntyre ran up a triple-bogey 6 at the fifth before recovering to salvage a 72, matching the efforts of both Davd Law and David Drysdale.

Connor Syme, the sixth Scot in the field, had a rare off day as he had to settle for a six-over 78 that culminated in a double-bogey 7.

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