Scotland’s Richie Ramsay continued his superb recent form thinking of shooting the Tour’s first-ever round of 59 before settling for a career low of a 62 high in the Swiss Alps on day one of the European Masters.
It put Ramsay into the lead before being joined by Italy’s Edoardo Molinari who equaled his lowest score with a similar eight-under par 62.
Ramsay, who last week went close to victory across the border in Turin, began thinking of posting a magical and first 59 on the European Tour before ending with an eight under par tally on the now par 70 Crans-sur-Sierre course where he won last on Tour in 2012.
The Aberdonian kick-started his round with an eagle and two birdies to be four under par after just three holes but stalled over his next eight holes in picking up just one birdie.
Ramsay then moved to six under par when he holed a six-footer at 12 before narrowly missing an ‘ace’ at the par three 13th to go to seven under par and to eight under in draining a six-footer at the 15th.
Richie Ramsay lines up a putt on route to shooting a career low of 62 on day one of European Masters. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
However Ramsay ended with three pars but still his lowest score by two shots after six prior equal best scores of 64 including a then seven-under 64 on day three of the Swiss event two years ago.
“When I birdied the 15th to move to eight I thought for a minute if I could birdie the last three I could shoot 59,” said Ramsay.
“However it wasn’t to be but then 62 is my lowest score on Tour so I still have to be pretty pleased with that effort.
“I’ve also got a lot of good memories from two years ago, so I also drew on them today.”
Ramsay began the year with a pair of seconds in his opening three events and now after missing four cuts in succession through June and the first weeks of July, the Scot has returned to form as highlighted by last week’s share of fourth in Italy.
“I played really well last week and today I just continued that form,” said Ramsay.
“As I said last week, it’s been a tough season being up-and-down with injury but then this golf course does suit me and that helps.
“But then there is nothing like starting your round eagle, birdie and birdie. I hit three beautiful shots into the first including a 6-iron to 10-feet and holed that.
“I then stiffed it at the second and to birdie the third was great as it gave me a great boost straight off the bat and then I managed to pick off a few more.”
And while Ramsay has already put himself in great position for third Tour triumph the current No. 75 on the Race to Dubai is also targeting qualifying for the ‘Final Four Series’ by being among the leading 60.
“Making the Final Four events are definitely on my mind but then it’s been tough as I haven’t played as many tournaments I would have liked this season, so this week is a great opportunity to make it a really good week in that regard,” added Ramsay.
“I missed out last year on the final four events so I would love to be back among the top-60 this year.”
Three players – Northern Irelands’ Gareth Maybin and the England pair of Tommy Fleetwood and Graeme Storm – share third place on six under par.
Ryder Cup stars Jamie Donaldson and Victor Dubuisson reassured Gleneagles captain Paul McGinley they’re in good form with a 65s while Thomas Bjorn, and a two-time Swiss champion, along with newly-appointed Ryder Cup vice-captain Padraig Harrington is just a shot back.
