Richie Ramsay bemoans ‘missed opportunity’

• Richie Ramsay says putting cost him during Open second round
• Secured his place in the weekend with a birdie at the last
• Reckons high winds will turn things in his favour on Saturday

Richie Ramsay bemoaned a ‘missed opportunity’ during his second round at the Open, despite sinking a birdie putt at the last to make it to the weekend.

The 32-year-old, who only found out he’d be teeing it up around the Old Course on Sunday after the withdrawal of Tim Clark, blamed putting woes on his inability to climb further up the leaderboard as he shot a one-under-par 71.

“I played some really good stuff but the putter was pretty much ice cold,” explained Richie Ramsay. “I didn’t make too many putts. I three-putted on seven, eight and 16 but made a clutch at 18 and saved par with a five-footer on 17.

“I’m glad I’ve given myself the chance but I wish I’d made it more clear-cut. The way I’m swinging it and especially the way I’m driving it, I’m giving myself a lot of chances.”

“I feel like it was a missed opportunity” – Richie Ramsay

And the stats don’t lie. Ramsay hit 94% of fairways and 83% greens in regulation during his round but suffered with 33 putts, eight more than fellow Scot Paul Lawrie had in his first round.

He said: “It was nice to come down and finish the way I did but at the same time, it was a big opportunity for me to move. I think there’s a good score out there and I feel like it was a missed opportunity.”

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But Ramsay, who won the Trophee Hassan II on the European Tour earlier this year, was glad he did miss out playing any golf in the torrential rain earlier in the day, with play halted just 20 minutes before his tee time.

“This morning, I’ve never seen anything like that, especially on the east coast,” explained Richie Ramsay. “The west coast I’ve seen it before but nothing like that here. The delay was a blessing in disguise because if we’d played even three or four holes in that – it was really tough and to hold onto the club with a wet glove would’ve been an achievement so testament to the greenkeepers, they did an unbelievable job.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s round, Ramsay is confident that the high winds forecast can play totally into his favour and vowed not to let another chance to rocket up the leaderboard slip from his grasp.

“With the high winds coming, I think that plays into my hands big time. I missed an opportunity today. If I get a second one by making the cut, I don’t plan on missing out on that again.”

Richie Ramsay :: Can he climb the leaderboard?

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