Richie Ramsay’s decision to bravely battle through the pain-barrier could be rewarded with a gutsy fourth Tour victory at the Open de France in Versailles.
Ramsay has his left-thumb region strapped and this after indicating he was just a ’60/40′ per cent chance of teeing-up in the European continent oldest national Open.
And while being just a shot off the third round lead with six holes to play, Ramsay dug deep after a mini three-hole slump to produce a super par from a greenside bunker at the last in a round of 70 and be sharing fifth place at eight-under par.
Richie Ramsay clearly has his left thumb strapped to help reduce inflamation in competing in this week’s Open de France. (Photo – European Tour/Getty)
Belgium’s big-hitting Nicolas Colsaerts dropped his only shot of the round at the 17th but sounded an ominous warning to Ramsay and his other rivals in holing an 18-foot birdie at the 18th in a score of 67 for a 13-under par tally and three strokes clear of the French field.
Colsaerts, 36 is looking not only to end a seven-year winless run in capturing just a third Tour title but the former Ryder Cup star is lying 114th on the Race to -Dubai and only one place inside retaining full Tour membership.
A win would hand the affable Monaco-based golfer with an Aussie wife and also Aussie caddy, a very timely two-year Tour exemption.
He said: “I was very pleased with my round today. I wasn’t really looking at what the lead was or where I was on the board but then I kind of knew was, so I didn’t really have to play that much attention.
“I am a bit of a mission now and continue to do what I have been doing and not think more about winning this tournament.
“The thing is also this tournament now in October is not a busy with spectators as it is normally in June.
“The thing also is that I can hear French in the crowd so I am going to have to kind of play with ear plugs in but so far it’s been really good.
“But don’t get me wrong as it would be amazing to win this thing and, like I say, if I stay away from thinking that I think my chances will be a lot higher than if I see this thing right in front of me.”
South African George Coetzee, and with three Tour victories, was three-under for his round but then doubled the 12th ahead of closing pars in a score of 70 to be second at 10-under par.
Ramsay had been one off the lead on day one and then two behind Colsaerts following Friday’s play and now finds himself five back of the Belgium and in a three-way share of fifth.
The Scot has been observed over the three rounds with his lower left thumb bandaged and while it seemingly has not affected his play, Ramsay has also been seen to be ‘nursing’ the affected area.
He said: “I’ve got some inflammation on my thumb and it’s strapped to give it a bit of stability.
“I was actually 60/40 whether I was going to play this week, but it seems to be working out pretty well.
“I am now going to just go and chill out tonight. I will go and grab a coffee, relax and look forward to hopefully a good last day.”
However, while there is the clear evidence of medical tapping on his hand there is no denying Ramsay’s determination to fend off any concern and capture the Open de France title.
“Situations like tomorrow don’t always come that often where you can play well on a golf course like this, and in a great golf tournament like a French Open, you have got to enjoy being in the mix and sort of thrive off it,” he said.
“I know also that if i do get into the mix, and I have won three times, there is no reason why I cannot make it four.”
The Edinburgh-based Aberdonian last won just over four years and if Ramsay does win, he will be the first Scot to triumph in the premier French event in 19-years.
Ramsay has clearly been showing that winning form having produced a Wentworth-best of sixth in the BMW PGA while he was 10th a week later in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
However, his best finish this year in 22 events remains fifth mid-season at the British Masters.
