Richie Ramsay chooses '˜caveman' route at Scottish Open

While the services of experienced caddie Colin Byrne could be just as useful, Richie Ramsay reckons 'caveman golf' could be the key to him boosting the Scottish contingent in next week's Open Championship to six.

Richie Ramsay: See target, hit ball, find ball, see target again. Picture: Stuart Franklin/Getty

With Sandy Lyle, Paul Lawrie, Colin Montgomerie, Russell Knox and Marc Warren having already secured their spots at Royal Troon through either exemptions or qualifiers, the Scottish Open provides the last chance for other home players to join them in Ayrshire next week.

The four highest non-exempt finishers can qualify for Troon provided they finish in the top 12, and Ramsay is ready to give it his best shot. “Golf is quite simple when you play caveman golf,” said the Edinburgh-based Aberdonian. “See target, hit ball, find ball and see target again. You just have to keep it simple.

“I always believe the best golfers are either the guys who don’t think at all or really think about it and work out a proper plan. If you are in the middle ground, I think you are stuck. “

Ramsay pointed to on-form Dustin Johnson as the “perfect example” of someone who doesn’t over-think things.

“He looks as though he plays golf under no pressure, which is a great ability,” he added. “Tiger [Woods] was more intense and obviously knew what he was doing, but DJ does it a different way that also works as he freeflows it.

“It helps, of course, that he hits it 360 yards and straight as well.”

Byrne, who has caddied for the likes of Ernie Els and Retief Goosen, is on Ramsay’s bag for the first time this week as he looks for a new bagman after splitting with Ryan McGuigan.