A blistering third round start moved Richie Ramsay closed the top of the victory takeout queue in the Volvo China Open.
Weather delays meant Ramsay played 27 holes on day three of the event on the Topwin Golf Club course in Beijing.
And after signing off a second round 70 the Scot kick-started his third round in sensational manner spinning his wedge shot back into the hole at the first for an eagle ‘2’.
Richie Ramsay starts brilliantly on day three in Volvo China Open. (Photo – www.golfbytourmiss.com)
Ramsay then raced to nine under par for the event when he birdied the second on route to an eventual five under par 67 that sees him head to the final day at 11-under par.
His 67 was the second lowest score this season behind a pair of 66s including one last week during the Shenzhen International near Hong Kong.
He said: “After finishing my second round, I got off to a great start in holing my second shot on the first and then stiffed a 6-iron at the second to be three under par after two holes.
“I played very steady after that but then not holing that many putts before birding four of the last five holes with the only hiccup the bogey in there at 16.”
The pick of Ramsay’s four closing birdies was easily the 17th where he holed a 40-foot gem.
He said: “On top of the start and my finish is just made the day that much sweeter given I had to play 27 holes.
“So I am very much looking forward to the final round. I am in a good position on five shots from the lead and all I need is a little bit more belief as the game is very good shape.”
Ramsay, who is currently ranked 141st in the world, has posted two top-30 finishes his past two weeks but is clearly keen to get back to Edinburgh and his young family with a hopeful top-five in his luggage.
He said: “I have played well the past weeks but then self-belief is massive for me and if I could just put myself into the mix that more often the sky is the limit.
“The game is always there while the swing is solid, so it’s just a matter of having a good mental attitude and taking on the shots I know that I can hit when I get into that situation again on a Sunday afternoon.”
Dane Luca Bjerregaard birdied two of his closing three holes in a round of 65 to join Chilean Felipe Aguilar, who added 67, for the pair to enjoy a two shot lead at 16-under par.
Stirling’s Craig Lee added a second straight 68 to be tied in 30th place at eight under par while Stephen Gallacher posted a 71 to be a shot further back.
OTHER SCOTS –
Marc Warren (70) – 211; David Drysdale (73) – 214.
