Richie Ramsay craves for 'buzz' of being in contention on European Tour

Richie Ramsay reckons a good putting week can help him turn consistency into being a contender in this week’s Canary Islands Championship in Tenerife.

Richie Ramsay in action during the Magical Kenya Open at Karen Country Club in Nairobi in March. Picture: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images.

The three-time European Tour winner has made the cut in his last five events and six out of eight this season, yet he sits 123rd in the Race to Dubai.

That’s because his best finish was a tie for 22nd in last week’s Tenerife Open at Golf Costa Adeje, where the action takes place again this week at the end of a three-event Canary Islands Swing.

“Ultimately, we are out here to win and getting yourself into contention gives you the buzz,” said Ramsay, one of four Scots in the field.

“The way the prize-money works, there is no advantage in finishing 30th. I would rather finish 100th one week then finish second the next.

“You need to be aggressive and make plenty of birdies and I need to do that more often.”

The Edinburgh-based Aberdonian is a combined 42-under-par in his last four starts, having signed for sub-par scores in all eight rounds so far in Gran Canaria and Tenerife.

But, with both of those events having been won with 25-under-par totals, he reckons improvement is needed on the greens in particular if he wants to be in the mix on Sunday.

“These last two weeks I have been top 10 in driving accuracy and top 10 in greens in regulation, but my putting let me down as the guys have been shooting the lights out,” said Ramsay.

“If I could putt better from 10 feet and in, I’d be right in the mix. I’m averaging 29 putts a round and that’s the tour average this year.

“The big positive is that I’m playing well. I know that if I do put well, suddenly I am in the mix and I want to win again.”

Grant Forrest, Calum Hill and Connor Syme are the other players flying the Saltire this week before the circuit heads to England for next week’s Betfred British Masters at The Belfry.

“It’s a big week coming up,” said Ramsay of an event being hosted by Danny Willett. “I know I can win a tournament and the key for me this week is maybe being more aggressive into the greens and then reading the lines better.”

A message from the Editor:

Get a year of unlimited access to all of The Scotsman's sport coverage without the need for a full subscription. Expert analysis, exclusive interviews, live blogs, and 70 per cent fewer ads on Scotsman.com - all for less than £1 a week. Subscribe to us today https://www.scotsman.com/subscriptions/sports