Donald Trump insisted on congratulating Scott Jamieson by video link from the United States minutes after the 42-year-old Glaswegian won the Nexo Championship, ending a 14-year wait for a second DP World Tour title. The victory, achieved by two shots over Englishman Matthew Jordan, earned Jamieson £372,000 and a two-year card exemption.
Trump's self-promotion moment
For the second year running, the President, who owns Trump International golf links north of Aberdeen, demanded to speak with Jamieson shortly after the Scot had followed compatriot Grant Forrest's win in the event. Trump lavished praise on the Florida-based champion in what was seen as a moment of self-promotion.
Jamieson, however, said the person he most wanted to speak with was his wife, Natalie, who he credited with keeping him believing during his darkest days when doubts crept in. He insisted she deserves the lion's share of the credit for him continuing to bridge a gap stretching back 356 tournaments to his maiden win at the 2012 Nelson Mandela Championship.
Family first for Jamieson
Jamieson revealed: "Natalie was with a group of family and friends at home and I was conscious that it was about 30-40 minutes since I had finished and I hadn't spoken to her. When I did eventually get the chance to call her, that was cool. That's what it's all about. Natalie's always pushing me on, saying 'I know you can do it and your time will come'."
He added: "She's a big help, not to mention holding down the fort when I'm away playing golf. There were a few times on the back nine when I found my family creeping into my mind and you are like 'no, no - focus'. When you start out in this game, you are doing it for yourself but, when you have family, you become the provider and that's all you want to do."
The father of three, whose maiden win came in his 65th start and his latest in his 421st, was especially thrilled to have won on home soil. He said: "It's not something that too many people have done. There have been a few Dunhill wins (Paul Lawrie, Stephen Gallacher, Colin Montgomerie and Bob MacIntyre), and obviously Grant (Forrest) in this event last year and a few Scottish Opens. But it is really cool to do it in Scotland with some family and friends here. My dad is in the south of England, so I am going to see him this week. But my sister and a few of the boy came up from Glasgow, so it was nice to see them."
Emotional release on 18th green
The Rangers fan struggled to hold back tears on the 18th green as the magnitude of his achievement sank in. He explained: "It's a release of the pressure you've been holding in during the day more than anything. Like I said, when you do this for other people, it makes it special."
Despite going close in the past, most notably when he finished second to Branden Grace at the Nedbank Challenge in 2017, Jamieson refused to dwell on past disappointments. He added: "Golf is such a weird game. You don't have to do too much wrong and then momentum can swing the other way, so I was most proud of sticking to my gameplan. This golf course gives you a lot of shots you are uncomfortable with. But I just said f*** it! I was like 'just stand up and commit to the shot as what is the worst thing that can happen? I win or don't win'."
