Gym work key to Ramsay strengthening his game

It has helped Richie Ramsay return from the brink of “insanity” to feeling more relaxed than he’s ever done on his way to an encouraging start in the Johnnie Walker Championship.

A three-under-par 69 was the Aberdonian’s first competitive outing since missing the cut in the Open Championship at Royal Lytham, where he left feeling in total and utter despair about his game.

“I’m going to have to sit down and work out exactly what I’m doing because it’s not even close to satisfactory,” said Ramsay at the time, having also made early exits the two weeks previously in the French and Scottish Opens.

“It’s not a time for knee-jerk reactions, but there’s going to be some serious changes. To keep playing like this would drive me insane.”

The changes, which were implemented during a four-week stint in Atlanta, where he has a house and is based at the Golf Club of Georgia, have included a new gym regime that stemmed from a conversation with Rory McIlroy.

“The Scottish Open and The Open were the worst two weeks I have had as a professional,” confessed Ramsay, admitting the drive up the road from Lytham had been torturous as he re-played those events over and over in his head.

“I’m quite hard on myself and I like to be that way because I think that’s the only way to improve. I had a little chat with Rory earlier in the year as I used to play with him at amateur level and I can noticeably see the difference in him now.

“It was just a five-minute chat, but I asked him what difference he feels on the golf course thanks to his fitness work. He stands a bit taller and looks a lot stronger. He was saying that it helps to make the loose shots not as wide as they used to be because his strength allows him to hold his positions a lot better.

“I have to have that control, too, because I’m focussing on a Luke Donald-style of golf where I’m staying accurate – I’m not a 340-yard down the middle kind of guy. I’m never going to be a bomber so I have to make the most of what I’ve got.

“I’m a massive believer that, no matter what line of work you are in, you’ll get results if you put the hard work in. Today is a result of that. I normally do work hard but sometimes with the travelling you decide to rest instead of having that gym session. Anybody who knows me will tell you I’m famous for falling asleep in different places, I can fall asleep at the drop of a hat. But it’s about getting up in the morning and instead of thinking ‘I’ll go to the gym later in the day’ you just get up and go.”

Ramsay was the leading Scot in Perthshire until his fellow Aberdonian, Paul Lawrie, celebrated securing his Ryder Cup return by signing for a 68.

After a round that included seven birdies, Lawrie said: “I’ve been grinning like a Cheshire cat since knowing I was in the team, so it’s not difficult to be happy at the moment.

“But my ball-striking today was more like it was at the start of the year. I’ve been grinding well recently but today was better from tee to green.”

He admitted a weight had been lifted from his shoulders through coming into this event knowing he’d done enough to make the European team for the match in Chicago next month. “I don’t think you can underestimate how the Ryder Cup plays on your mind,” added the 43-year-old.

Away from the Ryder Cup issues, Stirling’s Craig Lee boosted his hopes of retaining a European Tour card at the end of the season. Lying 114th in  the Race to Dubai, he came home in three-under 33 for a two-under 70.