Call-up can be major step up for Jamieson

Golf Correspondent

Wednesday 7 September 2011

Scott Jamieson is hoping that his last-gasp call-up to the Great Britain & Ireland team for the defence of the Vivendi Seve Trophy can act as a springboard towards a future Ryder Cup place.

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The 27-year-old from Glasgow, who is currently in the Netherlands for the KLM Open, received an official email from the European Tour yesterday morning informing him that he was the final man to squeeze into Paul McGinley’s side for next week’s joust with Continental Europe in Paris.

His inclusion in the squad, which means he will rub shoulders with the world No.2 Lee Westwood and the Open champion Darren Clarke, is a notable feather in the cap for Jamieson. Asked if his selection could provide the catalyst for a Ryder Cup thrust, the former Scottish amateur No.1 responded with purpose. “Absolutely; that’s the way I will be looking at it,” he said. “There have been lot of guys who have played the Vivendi and then moved on to being picked in a Ryder Cup team.“If I have a good showing next week, and then make the fringes of the Ryder Cup team then at least you must be in line for selection for the Ryder Cup.”While next year’s Ryder Cup in the United States may be a bridge too far for Jamieson, who is currently No.164 on the world rankings, the 2014 contest at Gleneagles would be a more realistic target.McGinley has been widely tipped for the Europe captain’s post in Perthshire in three years’ time and next week’s event will provide Jamieson with the perfect opportunity to signal his intent to the Irishman.“There’s a lot of talk already that Paul could be the captain at Gleneagles and, if he is, I’d better start playing better at Gleneagles than I did a few weeks ago,” added the Scot, in reference to his missed cut in the Johnnie Walker Championship at the end of August.Jamieson’s last experience of the cut-and-thrust of team competition came in 2006 when he helped Scotland’s amateurs win the Home Internationals at Pyle & Kenfig in Wales.Having hoisted himself up to No.38 on the Race to Dubai rankings during an impressive rookie season on the main circuit that has been illuminated by a trio of third place finishes, the former Scottish boys’ strokeplay champion’s inclusion in the GB&I professional squad is another significant milestone in his blossoming career.He added: “It’s going to be a great chance to rub shoulders with some of the stronger guys in the team like Westwood, Clarke and Ian Poulter. I’m sure I’m going to learn so much. There’s a lot of experience in the GB&I side and it’s going to look great on the cv.Along with Westwood, Clarke and Poulter, Jamieson will be joined in the 10-man team by the English posse of Simon Dyson, Robert Rock, David Horsey, Ross Fisher and Mark Foster as well as Welshman Jamie Donaldson.Luke Donald, Rory McIlroy, Paul Casey and Graeme McDowell all made themselves unavailable for selection.Europe, captained by Jean Van de Velde, will be spearheaded by the in-form Thomas Bjorn and Ryder Cup stalwart Miguel Angel Jimenez.

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Call-up can be major step up for Jamieson

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