Scott Jamieson’s extended run of fine form in the UAE continued as he claimed a share of the lead on Day 1 of the first Ras Al Khaimah Championship presented by Phoenix Capital.
The tournament at Al Hamra Golf Club is the Scotsman’s fourth DP World Tour event in a row in the Emirates.
The UAE swing has suited him. First, he finished tied for 13 at the Aviv Dubai Championship around Fire Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates back in November.
He started his 2022 season by holding the lead for three days at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links, before having to settle for a share of 10th.
He also figured on the leaderboard at the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic last week, then finished tied-35th.
He is immediately back in contention on the tour’s first trip to RAK. Jamieson fired a 7-under-par 65 in the opening round, to share the lead with Dubai-raised Sebastian Heisele.
“I just picked up where I left off at the end of November, and I did a bit of work but nothing dramatic,” Jamieson said of what has prompted his uptick in performances.
“[There were] no great overhauls which I’ve maybe been guilty of in the past, instead of just improving on what I have a little bit here and there.
“I think being ready mentally was key, being ready to hit the ground running and thankfully I was able to do that.”
Jamieson and Heisele made the most of the calm conditions early in the morning on a course which generally gets buffeted by a sea breeze off the Arabian Gulf more appreciably in the afternoons.
Brandon Stone, who was one of three players to finish within a shot of the lead, said as much after his round of 66.
“I think it’s obviously a lot more forgiving than the last couple of weeks. Yas Links and Emirates Golf Club have been extremely challenging,” Stone said.
“We found ourselves this morning without a breath of wind, with pins that we can get to and the greens are true as anything, about a foot and a half slower than last week [at the Classic].
“Overall the course is there to be played, I hope the wind gets up a little bit and gives us a little bit more of a challenge over the next two weeks, but overall it’s a fantastic venue.”
The late starters were certainly challenged, as the wind blew significantly in the afternoon, making scoring tricky for some of the leading names in the field.
Richard Bland, who was runner up after a playoff with Viktor Hovland at the Classic on Sunday, had to settle for a 1-under par 71 on his 49th birthday.
Danny Willett was at 1-over after 12 holes, before a run of four successive birdies. The 2016 Masters Champion finished at 3-under, four shots behind the leaders.
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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57%20Seconds
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
ARSENAL IN 1977
Feb 05 Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland
Feb 12 Manchester City 1-0 Arsenal
Feb 15 Middlesbrough 3-0 Arsenal
Feb 19 Arsenal 2-3 West Ham
Feb 26 Middlesbrough 4-1 Arsenal (FA Cup)
Mar 01 Everton 2-1 Arsenal
Mar 05 Arsenal 1-4 ipswich
March 08 Arsenal 1-2 West Brom
Mar 12 QPR 2-1 Arsenal
Mar 23 Stoke 1-1 Arsenal
Apr 02 Arsenal 3-0 Leicester
England World Cup squad
Eoin Morgan (capt), Moeen Ali, Jofra Archer, Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler (wkt), Tom Curran, Liam Dawson, Liam Plunkett, Adil Rashid, Joe Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, James Vince, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood
The End of Loneliness
Benedict Wells
Translated from the German by Charlotte Collins
Sceptre
'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'
Rating: 3/5
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law
Ahmed Raza
UAE cricket captain
Age: 31
Born: Sharjah
Role: Left-arm spinner
One-day internationals: 31 matches, 35 wickets, average 31.4, economy rate 3.95
T20 internationals: 41 matches, 29 wickets, average 30.3, economy rate 6.28
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 1 (Fernandes pen 2') Tottenham Hotspur 6 (Ndombele 4', Son 7' & 37' Kane (30' & pen 79, Aurier 51')
Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)
Farasan Boat: 128km Away from Anchorage
Director: Mowaffaq Alobaid
Stars: Abdulaziz Almadhi, Mohammed Al Akkasi, Ali Al Suhaibani
Rating: 4/5
Brief scores:
Toss: South Africa, chose to field
Pakistan: 177 & 294
South Africa: 431 & 43-1
Man of the Match: Faf du Plessis (South Africa)
Series: South Africa lead three-match series 2-0
Analysis
Members of Syria's Alawite minority community face threat in their heartland after one of the deadliest days in country’s recent history. Read more
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Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
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Company%20Profile
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