Ramsay makes promising start
Saturday, 4 August 2007
Richie Ramsay's first round as a professional proved profitable Thursday as he shot a two-under-par 70 to move into a share of 10th at the Russian Open, reports BBC.
The 24-year-old US amateur champion from Aberdeen last week announced he was moving into the professional ranks.
But the Scot showed he was not overawed by the step up from the amateur game at the Le Meridien Moscow Country Club.
He finished five shots off the lead set by Swede Christian Nilsson, who had five birdies in an outward 31.
Nilsson picked up a further two shots in a bogey-free round.
Starting at the 10th, Ramsay, who 12 months ago became the first British player since 1911 to win the United States amateur title, opened with seven straight pars before a birdie at the 547-yard 17th took him to the turn in 35.
He immediately dropped a shot at the par-four first, but further birdies at the long fifth and 417-yard seventh saw him close with a 70.
Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Gonnet returned a 66 to be one shot off the pace, with England's Sam Little and Ireland's Gary Murphy sharing third on five under.
The 24-year-old US amateur champion from Aberdeen last week announced he was moving into the professional ranks.
But the Scot showed he was not overawed by the step up from the amateur game at the Le Meridien Moscow Country Club.
He finished five shots off the lead set by Swede Christian Nilsson, who had five birdies in an outward 31.
Nilsson picked up a further two shots in a bogey-free round.
Starting at the 10th, Ramsay, who 12 months ago became the first British player since 1911 to win the United States amateur title, opened with seven straight pars before a birdie at the 547-yard 17th took him to the turn in 35.
He immediately dropped a shot at the par-four first, but further birdies at the long fifth and 417-yard seventh saw him close with a 70.
Frenchman Jean-Baptiste Gonnet returned a 66 to be one shot off the pace, with England's Sam Little and Ireland's Gary Murphy sharing third on five under.