Scotland’s Richie Ramsay superbly ignited hopes this week of a double delight in the Rainbow Nation in posting a four-under 68 on the opening day of the Nedbank Challenge.
Ramsay, 40, grabbed seven birdies to be trailing just two adrift of the leading four-some of Dane Nicolai Hojgaard, Swede Vincent Norrman, England’s Dan Bradburg and World No. 8 and visiting American Max Homa.
Homa produced a bogey-free round in returning to competition after joining Justin Thomas, and their respective wives on a week’s safari in the South African wilderness.
Homa said: “That round was midly shocking. I would’ve assumed I’d shoot six over before six under so it was a real treat”.
Thomas struggled in the warm but shifting windy conditions in posting a level par 72.
Unlike the Americans, Ramsay’s no stranger to the ‘Dark Continent’ and made his Tour victory breakthrough in capturing the 2009 South African Open, and then capturing the 2015 Hassan II Trophy in Morocco.
HOPES OF A DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR @RamsayGolf
Richie Ramsay @CallawayGolfEU posting #NBC2023 opening 6⃣8⃣ in quest to qualify @dpwtc & also capture second #rainbownation 🏆
Read: https://t.co/5RjkCPOuEq
✅ @TOURMISS @Record_Sport (Bernie) pic.twitter.com/div4RAN1Ml
— Golf & Science News (@TOURMISS) November 9, 2023
As well, the Renaissance attached Scot arrived at Sun City at 54th on the Race to Dubai and needs to be inside the leading 50 at the close of this week to be assured of qualifying for next week’s season-ender DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Bearsden’s Ewen Ferguson and Fifer Connor Syme were clearly enjoying each other’s company in producing two-under 70s, and by all accounts the fun was set to continue into the evening.
Ferguson said: “It’s always good fun when the Scots are out in the same group, as you’re urging and encouraging each other along.
“Just like tonight as it will be the same ole dinner, out for Nandos again. Nothing changes (laughing)”.
Syme, however, had other ideas saying: “I’m dragging him out on the safari tonight as he normally likes to sit in his wee bed and watch Nat Geo (laughing)”.
Top-Scot Bob MacIntyre wasn’t laughing, trailing in a lowly 63rd place at six-over in the 66-player field after just two birdies but also six bogeys and a double.
