Former Swiss champ Richie Ramsay muscled his way to near the top of the leaderboard with a sizzling 65 in mixed weather conditions on day one of the Omega European Masters.
Ramsay, 41, birdied four holes in succession mid-round and then holded a testing four-footer at the last in a five-under-par effort on the host Crans-sur-Sierre course at Crans Montana.
It handed the proud Scot, and winner of the event in 2012, a share of seventh place and just two shots adrift of England’s Alex Fitzpatrict, younger brother to double Swiss winner Open winner Matt Fitzpatrick who signed for a four-under 66. Also tied for the lead is Spaniard Afredo Garcia-Heredia.
Ramsay is making his 15th straight appearance since his debut in 2009 in the Alpine event having posted a third round 63 on route to success 12-years ago while his lowest score in 45 loops on the Seve Ballesteros designed layout remains a first day 62 a decade ago in 2014.
RICHIE @RamsayGolf SETS ABOUT SECOND @omegaEUmasters WITH ROUSING FIRST ROUND @cransmontana 6⃣5⃣
Read: https://t.co/6qunyLgpsM@Record_Sport @CallawayGolfEU @CallawayTour@CarbonFinancial @CraigGroupLtd
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— Golf & Science News (@TOURMISS) September 5, 2024
Ramsay’s opener this year was capped in holing a six-footer for birdie at the par-3 eighth hole and the eighth hardest on the Swiss course.
Speaking to GolfByTourMiss and the Daily Record, he said: “I am really pleased as I was in a good group and we fed off each other though saying that, it was cold warming-up on the range while it was also raining and the wind really got up.
“The wind made it about a three-to-four club wind when he started but luckily it died down and we finished in flat calm conditions though it was conditions I’ve really not seen up here before.
“Saying that it’s always great to play here at Cran and even better when you shoot a good score.
“So, for me the course still has that element of magic and yes, you have guys like Alex and Afredo who shoot 63s but then guys will shoot over par.
“Sometimes that is a sign of a golf course that is fun and has variation”.
Stephen Gallacher is the next best of the six Scots signing for a three-under 67 and one fewer than Fifer Connor Syme who capped his round holing a near 40-foot eagle putt for a ‘2’ at par-four seventh.
OTHER SCOTS
Scott Jamieson – 69
Marc Warren, Ewen Ferguson – 70
Calum Hill – 74
