Richie Ramsay blames no one but himself after an intended journey to Belfast to be present at the wedding reception of a fellow European Tour collleague cost him the opportunity to qualify for next fortnight’s U.S. Open.
Ramsay left the Walton Heath 36-hole qualifier with scores of 71 and 69 for a four under par tally but thinking his effort was not good enough to be among the 11 qualifiers for Congressional.
Richie Ramsay says he's only got himself to blame.
The Aberdonian made his Heathrow Airport but after being stuck in traffic he missed his flight to Northern Ireland and the reception of Northern Ireland player, Gareth Maybin.
Ramsay then received a call from Stephen Gallacher saying he should return to Walton Heath as quickly as possible as he was likely to be among three players fighting for the last qualifying position.
Unfortunately, Ramsay was still 15 minutes from the Surrey course when Denmark’s Andreas Hato and Sweden’s Johan Edfors teed up.
It was Edfors, and the former Barclays Scottish Open champion, who was successful in qualifying .
Ramsay looked absolutely distraught in returning to the course near 9.20pm, and in darkness, to be informed he’d missed the chance to join Gallacher and Martin Laird as the only Scots in the June 16th starting Major.
“I feel suicidal at the moment,” he said.
“I got this call from Stevie (Gallacher) to say four under was in but to get back here, and to miss out on the chance to play the US Open, just makes me feel sick.
“I actually feel physically sick right now.
“When I left the course at 5.30pm there was 18 guys ahead of me on the leader board.
“I’ve been to Heathrow, missed my flight because of the traffic, and now come back here, and probably will get a couple of speeding tickets, and to be told I’ve missed out.
“And even when I was driving back here it was pitch black and everyone has their car lights on, and the play-off goes ahead.
“But I’ve only got myself to blame. It’s my own fault as I should have played better, and if it wasn’t for my putting today, I might be heading to the U.S. Open.
“What a day it’s been. I’ve missed my flight, the wedding, I missed a whole bunch of putts, and now the chance to play the US Open.”
Rather than being disqualified, Ramsay was informed by the USGA he will be second alternate for the Major but doesn’t mean second reserve.
Belguim’s in-form Nicolas Colsaerts grabbed the leading qualifying position with rounds of 64 and 71.
Ireland’s Shane Lowry, who captured his best Tour result since turning of fourth yesterday at Wentworth, was second and one stroke behind.
