Glasgow's Scott Jamieson has set himself the task of completing a unique 'rookie' double, after listening to Jose Maria Olazabal's impassioned team talk.
The Scot is only the second rookie in the seven-event history of the Vivendi Seve Trophy to qualify for the team in his European Tour rookie year, and he would join Rory McIlroy if he earns Ryder Cup selection as a follow-up.
Jamieson was out on the Saint-Nom-la-Breteche course yesterday, joining all 20 players in the Pro-am but it was at a dinner the night before, and hosted by Olazabal in Versailles, that he first felt part of the GB&I team.
“It was the first time I’d been in room with Jose Maria and he was very emotional, speaking about Seve and the Ryder Cup,” said the Scot. “His talk was also inspiring as he talked about this tournament and compared it with next year’s Ryder Cup.
“Listening to Jose Maria makes you want more and that’s what I am hoping this week will lead to, as I would love to make his Ryder Cup team. It’s just whet my appetite to now make both team events.”
Paul McGinley, the GB&I captain, has gone with a mix of experience and inexperience for today’s opening fourballs.
McGinley has teamed Jamieson with the Ryder Cup winner Ross Fisher and they will face a Continental Europe pairing of Sweden’s Peter Hanson and local favourite Raphael Jacquelin.
“It’s just cool being a member of the GB&I team; I’ve always enjoyed team golf,” said Jamieson. “It’s nice winning individual tournaments but, when you’re on a winning team, you share all those feelings that come with winning.
“I’m starting to get to know all my team-mates, and guys like Lee [Westwood] and Darren [Clarke] have been great, advising me just to enjoy the week and to remember it was good golf that got me here in the first place.
“Paul McGinley has also been very helpful, speaking to everyone individually and saying the same as Darren and Lee: that we’ve all earned the right to be here. Even so, I have a lot to learn myself this week.
“I’m pleased at being paired with Ross first up as I’ve got to know him really well, and I actually played the first two rounds with Ross at Castle Stuart this year, so that’s going to help.”
Jamieson got his first look at the Saint Nom-la-Breteche course on Tuesday morning and has taken an instant liking to the former Lancombe Trophy venue. “It’s a great, old-style course that really suits my game, while the greens are wonderful so we should be able to hole a lot of putts,” he said.
Bernie McGuire
at Saint Nom-la-Breteche
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