Ferguson ‘Chilled’ Heading Into The Heat Of The DP World Tour Curtain-Closer

3 years ago by Comments Off on Ferguson ‘Chilled’ Heading Into The Heat Of The DP World Tour Curtain-Closer

Double Tour winning Ewen Ferguson admits he’s ‘chilled’ at thoughts in making it a season-ending triple winning treat at DP World Tour Championship (DPWTC) final on the Earth course at Jumeirah Estates in Dubai.

Ferguson, 26, is among four Tour members to have won twice this year with Scot capturing the CB Qatar Masters and the ISPA Handa World Invitational.

Among those double champs this year is Ryan Fox, currently lying No. 2 on the Race to Dubai, and after losing by a shot last week in South Africa seeking to make it three wins and become only the second Kiwi-born European No. 1.

The Bearsden club attached Ferguson is currently ranked 13th on the R2D and already 143 spots higher than his maiden full tour year in 2019.

Ferguson said: “I feel fine and feeling more comfortable with the event I contest this season, so I’m getting pretty used to it and just getting on with it.

“Yes, it’s a big tournament and playing the Scottish Open and Wentworth this year were big tournaments and where I felt they were bigger only because they were home events, and where you had the pressure also of making the cut.

“This week, though it’s a big event, with no cut just feels a bit more chilled.

And in looking back on his second full season, the Scot is proud of what he’s achieved, and also reflected in the ‘goodies’ that awaited him when he checked-in to his hotel for this week.

He said: “I feel like I have always been told and thought that I would become a good player and would start doing well but never thought when that would happen.

“So, I just working hard and continued backing myself and it’s great it has worked out so well this year.

“And it was great seeing all the nice goodies waiting there when I first walked-in to my room, so that was very nice”.

Ferguson tees-up on day one in the US $10m event alongside former US Open champ and 2017 double Dubai winner, Jon Rahm, and with the champion Spaniard, who’s not meant the young Scot, admitting he will be just as nervous.

Rahm said:  “Nerves are good. It means it matters, right. So, I would expect Ewen to be nervous. I was nervous. I’m still nervous when I go to the first tee on Thursday just because it matters, right? You’ve put a lot of work in.

“So, I wouldn’t try to get away from that. I would say, you’re here to do a job and try to win a tournament. That is the key, focus on that and utilise that intensity because you can use it to your advantage.”

Just five places separate the three leading Scots on the R2D with Robert MacIntyre 15th place and Richie Ramsay lying 17th, sandwiched between the trio of Rahm at 14 and in-form Rasmus Hojgaard holding down 16th spot.

MacIntyre has again been busy working renowned putting coach Phil Kenyon as the Italian Open champ needs to pick-up 20 places and move back inside the world’s top-50 by December 31 and the assurance of a third straight Masters.

Ramsay’s appearance ends a five-under DPWTC absence and headed for a best in 14 seasons on the main tour, with a best money-list effort of 26th in 2012.

The Renaissance Club based Scot picked-up a fourth career win this season and with a top-30 R2D showing see him end a six-year absence qualifying automatically for the 151st Open next July at Hoylake.

Ramsay said: “It’s nice to be back.  Being here in Dubai at this time of year is a nice reward for a good year but the way I am looking at it, is that I’m looking forward to continuing my good form from last week.

“The game is sharp and the big key is that I have to enjoy this week like I really enjoyed last week, and hopefully the golf will do its part. There is no real secret to it.”

Fifer Connor Syme has qualified for his second DPWTC currently lying 32nd and up four spots from 2019.

He said: “I got into my hotel room last night (Monday) and it’s great to see the tournament gifts and information there waiting for you, so that’s great.

“That was definitely my goal at the start of the year to be here this week, so it’s a nice reward and will be my last event of the year, and no tripping off to South Africa that I’ve done the past few years.

“So, hoping I can really end-up on a really positive note.”

And making-up the five-strong Scots is Aberdonian David Law, lying 51st on the R2D and the third last into the field.



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