Paul Waring will take a two shot lead into the final round of the Portugal Masters, after Scott Jamieson threatened to become the first player in the history of the European Tour to post a round of 59 at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course.
Jamieson raced through the field on Saturday, after a stunning barrage of 11 birdies in 17 holes on the Arnold Palmer designed par 71 layout in the stunning Algarve. The 29-year-old Scotsman, who won the first event of the season in South Africa, required another birdie on the final hole to make history.
However, after a perfect drive, his approach, which must have looked perfect when in the air, took a firm first bounce on the green and ran through into the collar of greenside rough. Taking the flag out, the Glasgow born player who played on a scholarship at Augusta State University, attempted to chip in for glory. His effort came agonisingly close, with the Scot falling to his knees as he settled for the 18th round of 60 on the Tour, coming just a fortnight after Peter Uihlein’s similar effort at Kingsbarns.
At this point, having made the cut by just a shot, Jamieson had surged into the clubhouse lead at 14-under, which he retained until Waring’s late burst of form hours later.
The Englishman Waring, who is playing on the Tour on a medical exemption, birdied two of his final three holes to overhaul Jamieson’s total with a round of 67 that took him to 16-under for the Championship. He is two clear of Jamieson, Hennie Otto, Simon Thornton, and Jamie Donaldson, as he attempts to claim his first win on the European Tour.
Incidentally, Jamieson had broken 60 on route to claiming his maiden title in November. But that effort of 57 came unofficially, with the Royal Durban course reduced to just a par of 65 after incessant rainfall shortened the tournament to just 36-holes.
Jamieson reflected on his almost historic day. “I said to Richard (his caddie) playing 17 I really want to make a birdie here so we have a chance of it going down the last and I could not have asked to hit a better shot in. It pitched just short of the hole...what a chip as well!
”When I birdied the 13th I said to Richard then 'A few more and we could be part of history'. I was definitely nervous but thinking about it from the tournament point of view the leaders are going to be a minimum of 16, 17 maybe 18 under going into tomorrow so that kept me going from a pushing point of view.”
Ultimately, the lead became that minimum of 16-under, while Jamieson reflected upon how well he played coming after a second round of 73 which removed much of the positives from an opening 66 on Thursday. “I played really well the first day and got nothing out of it. I was five under par but the longest putt I holed was maybe eight feet for par on one hole.
”I felt like I have been playing well for a while, a few good rounds in there. Yesterday I didn't necessarily play poorly, just didn't score well so it was nice today.”
Waring, who has recovered this year from major wrist surgery, looked to be falling out of contention after a bogey at the fifth, followed by a missed green at the ninth. However, the Englishman would miraculously chip in for birdie from that position, revitalising his chances in the tournament.
He would make four more birdies on the back nine, as he moved two clear of the field to provide himself with an opportunity to claim his maiden title tomorrow. The 28-year-old’s first top five finish on Tour came earlier this year in Spain, and he has continued to play solidly with two further top tens in the months since.
“It was very good towards the end of the round,” said the 28-year-old.
“I started a bit poorly and didn't quite hit it close enough but holed some nice putts towards the end of the day. I feel pretty good, two ahead, so we will see what happens tomorrow.”
Looking ahead to a new experience in a final round, he reflected on the challenges that tomorrow will bring. “I can't really say. You don't know what's going to happen with the other lads, what anyone else is going to score. You can't control those sorts of things.
”All I can do is control what I can control and add them up at the end of the day and see what happens.”
For the likes of Chris Doak and Julian Walters, tomorrow could be the day that they secure their status on the Tour for next season. Both are outside the crucial top 110 in the Race to Dubai, with next week’s Perth International in Australia the final counting event.
10 players are all within four shots of the lead, so Waring cannot afford to slip up early on, otherwise will be have a Sunday shootout in the Algarve.