Scott Jamieson has won the European Tour&aposs opening event for the 2013 season, taking out the inaugural Nelson Mandela Championship in a play-off as Australian Scott Arnold produced a fine finish to the tournament. Because of heavy rains over the first two days at the Royal Durban Golf Club in South Africa, the tournament was shortened to 36 holes and the par score was reduced to 65 because of flooded fairways. Beginning the day six shots behind overnight leaders Tim Clark and Morten Orum Madsen, Scotland&aposs Jamieson carded an eight-under par 57 to move into a three-way tie for the lead on seven under with Englishman Steve Webster and Spain&aposs Eduardo de la Riva. De la Riva could not survive the first play-off hole, bogeying the 18th, while Jamieson and Webster made par. But the Englishman was not as fortunate on his return to the 18th, however, bogeying to hand Jamieson – who made par – his first European Tour title. “To get your name on any European trophy is a fantastic achievement, but it&aposs a little more special when it&aposs for someone like Nelson (Mandela). “At the start of the day I probably didn&apost think I would be standing here holding the trophy; but I knew I needed a fast start and I was lucky enough to get that.” Dane Madsen and South Africa&aposs Clark both carded 64s to join German Maximilian Kieffer and England&aposs Matthew Nixon on six under in a share of fourth place. Australian Arnold also posted a five-under 64 score on Sunday in a blemish-free round, but could not make up the ground he lost in his first round, where he posted a four-over 69.
Author: Omnisport