Ramsay Out To Have Golf’s Equipment Suppliers Take Notice

Scot Richie Ramsay is primed to have the golf equipment sponsors sit-up and take notice heading into the final round of the Bapco Energies Bahrain Golf Championship.

Ramsay, 41, holed a monster 40-footer for a timely last hole birdie in a round of 69 to move to nine-under and tied with fellow Scot Connor Syme, who posted 68 on the host Royal Golf Club course.

England’s Callum Tarren continues to lead despite a shaky ‘moving day’ level par 72 to remain at 13-under but it’s Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal he must now fear ahead of the last day in the $2.5m event.

Larrazal and three others, including first round leader England’s Brandon Robinson-Thompson (68), share second while there are 19 players lying within just four shots of the lead.

Larrazabal is a 10-time DP World Tour winner and was in the field 12 year ago when Bahrain debuted on the world golf stage with the hosting of the 2011 Volvo Champions event.

And even now into his 40s, the World No. 311 still has what it takes as evident when he aced par-3 second hole on Friday and while talking of being a little nervous heading into the final round he knows how to win as he seeks Tour success No. 11 after last capturing a 10th title at the 2023 KLM Open.

“I wish one day to come to Bahrain for a holiday but I am here to try and play good golf”, Larrazabal said.

“I have played almost 450 tournaments but the nerves are still there because I care about it.

“There is nothing better to win a golf tournament, so I am going to do my best to be in position tomorrow for the last few holes.  To try to be in contention for the back nine.  That will be my strategy”.

Among those 19 players within four shots from the front is the Scottish duo of Ramsay and Syme

The four-time Tour winning Ramsay is competing this year without a club or cap deal, meaning he’s a free agent to play with any clubs he wishes.

However, there is a downturn as it means Ramsay does not have full access and the support of the ‘name’ equipment companies as had been the scenario for recent years in being sponsored by Callaway Golf.

He spoke to GolfByTourMiss/Daily Record recently in Dubai saying: “As well, it’s just the way the market is going. All the money is going to the top. You either need to be a top player or a young up-and-coming player. I get it. I understand it.

“Saying that, I’ve been out on the Tour now for 16-years and while my enthusiasm remains strong, it does get harder.

“I know if I was swinging at the golf ball at 120 miles per hour, my career would be a long longer.

“All I can do is play my own game, be the best I can and just not worry about guys hitting the ball at 120 miles per hour, as they play a different course to the one’s I play”.

A Ramsay win may go a long way, not only ending a more than two-year winless drought but also certainly attract the attention of the game’s leading equipment suppliers.



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