Rookie Jamieson leads way after 66

GOLF:ROOKIE SCOTT Jamieson eclipsed the Spanish Open field yesterday with an opening six-under-par 66 at El Prat to lead by a stroke.

The Scot leads from local favourite Pablo Larrazabal, fellow rookie Romain Wattel of France and experienced tour winners Jeev Milkha Singh of India and Briton Steve Webster.

Peter Lawrie was best of the Irish after a fine 68, just one shot ahead of former Irish Open winner Shane Lowry.

The 27-year-old Jamieson has made a remarkable transition over two years, elevating himself from the Europro and Challenge tours to become a force on the main tour.

However, despite fifth and sixth places in his nine events, Augusta State University graduate Jamieson has been unable to play the last four weeks because of his tour ranking.

However, a trip to visit his fiancée in Jacksonville during his break where he practiced at the Palancia course paid dividends at the tricky El Prat layout. “My coach told me to get my bad shots under control, no-one needs to make good shots better,” said Jamieson after a round that included two 30-foot putts and eight birdies.

Larrazabal’s extensive local knowledge stood the Spaniard in good stead as he took the early lead.

A member of the club near Barcelona, Larrazabal has played countless rounds at the course designed by Greg Norman and opened in 2004.

“Nobody knows this course better than me,” said Larrazabal s after carding a flawless 67. “I know exactly where to hit the greens. You can be in big trouble if you hit them in the wrong spot.”

Larrazabal was watched for a few holes by his brother Alex, the 2002 British Amateur champion, before Alex took up his duties as Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal’s caddie.

It has been a barren time for Larrazabal since he burst on to the European Tour scene with a dramatic victory in the 2008 French Open as a qualifier.

“For the last five or six months I’ve been playing very solidly without finishing off in tournaments,” he said. “It would be nice to do so here.”