Scotland’s Richie Ramsay put aside his disappointment over the recent shock news in men’s pro golf to snatch an eagle and four birdies on the opening day of the Volvo Scandinavian Mixed in Sweden.
Ramsay, 39, brilliantly cleared water twice in finding the green at the par-5 15th, and the sixth hole of his round, landing his second shot to just eight-feet and holing the putt.
The four-time Tour winner grabbed four other birdies, including a 10-footer at his last in a four-under 68 on the host to trail just three behind the leading duo of German Yannick Paul and Dane Nicklas Norgaard, who shared the lead with five-under 67s.
Thailand’s Trichat Cheengbab is the leading female in the event, signing for a 66 in this year’s third hosting of the event featuring 78 male and an equal number of women pros in the $US 2m tournament.
The leading Scottish women, among four Scots is Aberdeen’s Laura Beveridge posting a four-over 76.
Ramsay had taken to Twitter on Tuesday following news the golfing war was over between the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and the rebel tour rivals LIV Golf.
The champion Scot saying how disappointed he was, and rightfully so, that with news of even more millions flowing into the hands of the game’s best, there was no talk of boosting the game at grassroots level.
Nobody really knows what happens, sad when I ask myself, will this put more golf clubs in the hands of youngsters, kids get introduced to the game. Instead money goes to top. @paullawriefound @sgfgolf @robrockgolftour build these create more of them, ACTUAL GROWING THE GAME
— Richie Ramsay (@RamsayGolf) June 6, 2023
First news of the merger had Ramsay tweeting: “Always thought there would be a world tour but not after the rhetoric from certain people.
“Top tour around the world Huge money $25m + (will US guys travel), 2nd level $3m KF/DP promotion / relegation. Who owns rights key?”
The next best of the Scots is Marc Warren, winner of the 2006 Scandinavian Masters, who posted a two-under 70.
