Scott Jamieson slips six shots off lead in South Africa

Scott Jamieson went from holding a two-shot lead at one point in the second round to sitting six shots off the halfway pace in the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek in South Africa.

Scott Jamieson talks tactics with caddie Ritchie Blair on the first hole during the second round of the Alfred Dunhill Championship at Leopard Creek Country Golf Club. Picture: Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

The 36-year-old Scot, who has recorded two top-five finishes in this event at the same venue in recent years, had moved to the head of affairs after following his opening 66 with an early birdie burst on day two.

Helped by gains at the tenth, 12th 13th and 15th holes on his front nine, Jamieon had progressed to nine-under for the event before coming home in two-over as he added a 71.

That has left him in a tie for sixth, just three shots off second spot but six adrift of Adrian Meronk after the Pole spreadeagled the field with a second successive 65 to sit on 14-under-par.

“I got off to a fast start but let a couple go on my back nine, which was a bit sloppy, but I didn’t do too much damage and I am still in a strong position,” said Jamieson.

“Shooting 66 and 71 is a very good start and, though leaving a few out there on my back nine today was disappointing, I was good on my front nine, so pretty solid.”

Calum Hill is next best among the Scots after a 69, which included an eagle and five birdies, lifted him into the top 20 on four-under.

In his first appearance since landing a breakthrough European Tour win in the Cyprus Showdown earlier in the month, Bob MacIntyre added a 70 to his opening 72.

The 24-year-old Oban man had climbed into the top 10 after covering his first 16 holes of the day in four-under only to finish bogey-bogey for a two-under total and now sits in a tie for 27th.

“It was a good day except for the last two holes,” he said. “If I can drive the ball over the weekend like yesterday then a score is still out there. I have a bit of work to do, but I’m not out of it.”A bogey-bogey finish left David Drysdale one shot outside the cut on one-over as Connor Syme and David Law also made early exits on three-over.

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