Richie Ramsay missed space trip by four holes

Richie Ramsay: Year of beer. Picture: Jane Barlow

The Aberdonian aced the 154-yard par-3 11th hole – his second after starting on the tenth – with an 8-iron on his way to a round of 65 at at Kennemer Golf & Country Club. Had it come at the 15th hole, Ramsay would have won a trip into space – the prize Dutch aerospace giant XCOR is offering to the first player to record a hole-in-one there in the event. However, the two-times European Tour winner was happy to settle instead for a year’s supply of beer.

“I hit a lovely shot,” he said. “It looked like it was close and then it just dropped in like a putt. There were a few high fives on the tee which was nice, and it was a great way to start the round and I got off to a bit of a flyer.

“Winning a year’s supply of beer from Warsteiner [for the hole in one] is fantastic. My phone is going to be ringing off the hook.

“There will be a good party going on back home in the winter time, that’s for sure.”

Spaniard Pablo Larrazabal shot a course-record 62 to open up a two-shot lead at the halfway stage, but Ramsay is right in touch, sharing fourth place on six-under-par. “It was a good day’s work overall and hopefully I can keep it going,” he added.