Scotland’s Richie Ramsay admits he likes feeling uncomfortable as he comfortably continues his push to hopefully banking victory in the Nedbank Challenge in South Africa.
Ramay, 40, also remains top Scot posting a second round 69 in moving to seven-under and just three shots from the lead heading to the weekend rounds on the host course at Sun City.
The duo of World No. 8 Max Homa, with a 68, and Frenchman Mattieu Pavan, and signing for a 66, lead the field by a shot at 10-under.
Homa said: “I’m very pleased, a little pleasantly surprised, so it’s been nice. The body’s been feeling better as the week’s gone on, so I woke up today feeling like a golfer again, which was nice. It’s a real dream”.
COMFORTABLE FEELING UNCOMFORTABLE ….
Admits 🏴 @RamsayGolf @CallawayGolfEU @CallawayTour continuing on his path to hopefully banking #NGC2023 🏆 in @AfricasMajor 👏👍
Read: https://t.co/iayECHIEMO
✅ @TOURMISS @Record_Sport (Bernie) https://t.co/iIoCXU1QBL
— Golf & Science News (@TOURMISS) November 10, 2023
The Renaissance Club attached Ramsay capped his round with four birdies, including spectacularly holing his second shot at the par-4 13th hole before also birdieing two of his closing three holes in hot but continuing windy conditions on the host Gary Player named cours
Ramsay said: “My front nine was really good while taking birdie at the first hole is always a nice settler while the shot into the 13 was great, and then a real bonus to birdie two of the last three holes, including a lovely up-and-down at the last, was really good as you come off the course feeling upbeat with your chest sticking out a bit rather than the opposite.
“The good thing about this golf course is there is absolutely no giveaway, and anybody who’s won this tournament has had to work really hard with their mental game really tested.
“I kind of like that as it makes you feel uncomfortable as it puts pressure on you, and I love where on a few holes you will have crosswinds, and stand-up knowing you just have to hit a good tee shot. There’s just nowhere really to hide.
“My game is really good and I just need to be a bit more dialled-in on those backside holes that forces you to play good golf shots”.
Ramsay continues to be the leading Scot among just six Scots in the elite 66-player field and having arrived in the Rainbow Nation lying 53rd on the Race to Dubai money list, and being projected to jump to 43rd.
The leading 60 at the close of this week will tee-up next week in the tour’s season-finale in Dubai.
Fifer Connor Syme is the next best of the Scots signing for a 69 to be just inside the top-20 at five under.
Top-ranked Scot Bob MacIntyre kick-started his round super style holing an eight-footer for an eagle ‘3’ at his 10th hole and then birdied the next but also posted four bogeys in his round of 70 to get back to four-over.
