Turning Scott Jamieson into DP World Tour winner again was 'like tweaking a Ferrari'

Helping Scott Jamieson become a DP World Tour winner again has been described as “basically just tweaking a Ferrari” due to the Scot already having a silky swing when he started working with a new coach earlier this year.

Jamieson’s return to winning ways after a near 14-year gap in last week’s Nexo Championship at Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire came just a few months after he linked up with Jamie Gough.

Based in Fife these days, Gough, the brother of former Scotland and Rangers defender Richard, is one of the most-respected and hardest-working coaches in the game.

Scott Jamieson tees off on the 14th hole in the final round of the Nexo Championship at Trump International Golf Links last Sunday | Ross Parker/Getty Images

In recent years, he’d already helped both Ewen Ferguson and Connor Syme become DP World Tour winners and now he’s worked his magic again with Jamieson, who capped a brilliant performance on home soil with a brace of 67s over the weekend on the fearsome Old Course at Donald Trump’s resort north of Aberdeen.

“I knew he was playing well, but to do it in such a massive week makes it an even better win,” said Gough, speaking to The Scotsman at The Belfry on the eve of the Husqvarna British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo. “We obviously had Grant [Forrest] winning the same event on Scottish soil last year and now Scott has done it as well.

“In Scott’s case, it’s come at this stage in his career and also on the back of how his year had gone so far. I’m so pleased for him - it is absolutely brilliant.”

Jamieson, who landed his breakthrough victory in the Nelson Mandela Championship in South Africa in 2021, worked with various coaches over the years but, despite having both a swing and temperament to die for, he couldn’t come up with the winning formula again until now.

“You know, we didn’t necessarily change too many things,” added Gough, who is working with seven players at this week’s event in the Midlands. “For me, his rhythm has masked a couple of small errors he had in his swing. So we focused on those because you never really saw them due to his rhythm being so good.

“It was just a case of tightening up a couple of things and adding a little bit of structure to it. It was basically just tweaking a Ferrari in a way. He’s got such a good golf swing and it just needed some small adjustments.”

Jamieson had gone into last week’s event fighting to hang on to a DP World Tour card he’d held since 2011. His future is now safe for the next two seasons, with his new target being to make the two season-ending Play-Off events.

Jamie Gough celebrates with Ewen Ferguson after helping the Scot win the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in 2022 | Stuart Franklin/Getty Images

“It was testament to the work he has been putting in,” said Gough of the Florida-based Glaswegian’s polished performance on home soil. “The wins are very important obviously, but, you know, when you are dealing with these guys and their families and their careers are on the line, whatever improvement you can make is great.

“It’s their livelihoods that you have in your hands at times as you try to make them better and make money and keep playing out here. Scott is a good example. He’s been out here for 16 years and that just shows you what a good player he is.”

Can Jamieson, who is 42, push on now and maybe even enjoy the best spell of his career? “Without a shadow of doubt,” declared Gough. “He chips and putts exceptionally well. He’s still got a lot of speed . His flexibility is fantastic. I don’t see any reason for him not to have a couple of great years.”

Gough reckons he’s now enjoyed helping players rack up a total of 36 title triumphs, smiling when it was pointed out to him that he’s become a man with a Midas touch when it comes to working with Scots.

“Absolutely - it is very nice!” he said of playing his part in tartan triumphs due to where he now lives, having set up home in Pittenweem in the East Neuk of Fife. “In a way, it means more to me to have a Scottish boy win.”

Jamie is flying the Saltire in this week’s opening Back 9 Swing event by Ferguson, Syme, Grant Forrest, Calum Hill, David Law, Daniel Young, Euan Walker and Cameron Adam.