Ramsay revels in his ‘best ever form’

RICHIE Ramsay hailed his form as the “best ever” after chasing home Ryder Cup team member Peter Hanson in the KLM Open at Hilversum to take his earnings in three weeks to close to £450,000.

Seven days after winning the European Masters in Switzerland, having also finished sixth the weekend before that in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles, the on-form Aberdonian put himself in the mix again in a final round. Having shot up the leaderboard with a superb 64 on Saturday, Ramsay birdied four of his last seven holes to come home in 32 for a closing 67 and a 12-under-par total of 268.

He was in contention for a second successive title triumph until Hanson holed a 30-foot eagle putt on the final green to finish two shots ahead of both the Scot and Spaniard Pablo Larrazábal. In picking up a cheque for around £125,000, Ramsay, who gets married in just over a fortnight, has jumped to 17th in the Race to Dubai and will also climb at least two spots from 68th in the world rankings when they are published today.

“The biggest thing again was that I coped under pressure,” beamed the Scot. “I birdied three of the last four holes to chase Peter down and I can go away with my head held high.

“I’m massively pleased with my performance and also the world ranking points, which is a big thing for me at the moment. The last three weeks have been the best ever – sixth, first and second. It’s nice to see the hard work paying off and I’m happy I put on a good show again for my sponsors back in Aberdeen.”

Scott Jamieson, one of four joint leaders heading into the final round, finished fourth, three behind Hanson, after he signed off with a 71. The Glaswegian’s title hopes were dented by a three-over front nine, but he fought back with two birdies in the last seven holes to post his best finish of the season.

Hanson’s win – the Swede’s first in two years – saw him end a difficult personal week on a high note. He came close to withdrawing from the event after his one-year-old son, Tim, was hospitalised with a respiratory virus on Friday, but was persuaded by his wife to stay in the Netherlands.

“It’s always a nice feeling to win, but especially this week with how things have been with my son being ill,” said Hanson after a closing 67. “But he is getting better and it’s great that I’m sitting here with this fantastic trophy.”

Marc Warren’s closing 67 earned a share of 12th spot on seven-under, but Craig Lee, who had been up with the leaders after an opening 66, had to settle for joint-46th after a final-round 73 and a level-par total.