Richie Ramsay enjoys 'refreshing' change in Scandinavian Mixed event

Richie Ramsay recovered from a “rough start” to sit handily-placed after enjoying a “refreshing” change in the first round of the Scandinavian Mixed hosted by Annika Sorenstam and Henrik Stenson.
Richie Ramsay during the first round of the Scandinavian Mixed Hosted by Henrik and Annika at Vallda Golf & Country Club in Gothenburg. Picture: Warren Little/Getty Images.Richie Ramsay during the first round of the Scandinavian Mixed Hosted by Henrik and Annika at Vallda Golf & Country Club in Gothenburg. Picture: Warren Little/Getty Images.
Richie Ramsay during the first round of the Scandinavian Mixed Hosted by Henrik and Annika at Vallda Golf & Country Club in Gothenburg. Picture: Warren Little/Getty Images.

Ramsay was on the back foot straight away after opening with back-to-back bogeys at Vallda Golf Club outside of Gothenburg before turning his day round with a blistering burst.

He’d already picked up a birdie at the fourth before reeling off four in a row from the sixth then starting for home with an eagle-3 to share the lead.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Aberdonian moved to six-under after another gain at the par-4 14th before a dropped shot at the 17th left him signing for a five-under 67.

That was later matched by David Drysale, who carded an eagle and five birdies, as the Scottish duo ended the day in a tie for 11th spot.

As the set up for the ground-breaking event delivered exactly what Sorenstam and Stenson had been hoping for, Austrian Christine Wolf and England’s Sam Horsfield set the pace with matching 64s from different tees.

“It was a bit of a rough start,” said Ramsay of his effort. “Any time your alarm goes off with a four at the start, it’s not good.

“I woke up on the third hole, had a nice little run and caught fire. A couple of up and downs I didn’t make, but all in all it was very good as it’s very firm and fast out there.”

The historic event involves 78 men and 78 women going head-to-head for the same trophy and same €1m prize fund.

“I haven’t played with any of the women for a long, long time. It was quite refreshing,” added three-time tour winner Ramsay.

“It’s very hard to set up when you have male and female players, but they did a really good job with the set up.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s something different, it’s refreshing. If you play the same old format, 72-hole stroke play every week, after a while I’m sure people at home are thinking we need something a bit different. Whether it be team golf, Sixes, male and female. It’s nice to do that and change it up.”

Alison Muirhead was best among the Scottish women with a three-under 69.

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

Comments

 0 comments

Want to join the conversation? Please or to comment on this article.