Ramsay inspired by ill friend as he feels at home in China

FUELLED by a plate of steak pie and chips, Richie Ramsay got his teeth straight into the Volvo China Open in windy conditions that reminded him of home. After carding an opening 67 to lie just two shots off the lead, he then revealed his effort had been inspired by the plight of a close friend.

The Aberdonian first met Dick Gilbert when he caddied for the American businessman. He then won the 2006 US Amateur Championship with a putter given to him by Gilbert, who was also the first person to sponsor Ramsay when he turned professional in the wake of that triumph.

“Dick has been confined to his flat in the States by illness and I texted him last night to say I would try to shoot a low number in the hope that it would give him something to watch on TV and also maybe make him feel a bit better,” revealed Ramsay after living up to his promise with a flawless five-under-par round.

“I used to caddie for him and he’s been a friend of mine for a number of years. He was also the first person to back me when I turned pro and he has given me a lot of support. Because of the nature of his illness he is having to take food through a tube for 90 days, but he is a very positive guy.”

So is Ramsay and the 28-year-old didn’t put a foot wrong in testing conditions at Binhai Lake on a day when Colin Montgomerie also positioned himself in the top 20 with an opening 68 but Marc Warren suffered a nightmare as he found himself last after an error-strewn 85.

“The conditions were blustery and that made it quite difficult, but the wind plays to my strengths, because I am used to it,” added Ramsay, who is lying in a logjam in joint eighth, two behind English leader Matthew Baldwin “I know I can play well in the wind and the course is open in places where the gusts whip across from all angles.

“There’s space off the tees, but you’ve got to be able to use your imagination round the greens, because there are a lot of run-off areas and you need to be able to hit a variety of shots. And I played nice. My putter co-operated, which is always good, and five-under is a really good score.

“This feels a little bit like Scotland and I even had steak pie and chips in the clubhouse. But, hopefully, tomorrow the wind will be a bit lighter and I’ll be able to shoot another good number.”

Montgomerie, who is down at 367th in the world rankings, turned back the clock with his opening effort, which was his lowest round of the season and earned him a share of 15th spot. David Drysdale, who birdied two of his last three holes, opened with a 70, as did Peter Whiteford, to sit in joint 44th, just ahead of Steven O’Hara after he signed for a 71.

Paul Lawrie birdied his last two holes to salvage a 72, matching George Murray, but it was struggle for the other Scots in the field. Scott Jamieson shot 74, Stephen Gallacher could only muster a 76 and Warren had the worst score of the day by four shots after the rot started for him with a quadruple bogey at the 17th – his eighth hole.