Scot on the up to go under par

Friday 6 July 2012

Richie Ramsay battled his way through the first day of the French Open, carding a two-under-par 69.

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Ramsay was a doubt for the prestigious event as he was struggling with a niggling hamstring injury.

However, after treatment on the eve of the event, and then again in the hours before his afternoon tee-time, the Scot was fit enough to stride on to the host venue for the 2018 Ryder Cup.

"The hamstring felt a lot better and I have to thank the guys in the physio van as they did a great job," said Ramsay. "I gave a really good stretch before teeing up and there was hardly any pain."Ramsay was three under after six holes but proceeded to drop three shots, with a bogey at his eighth hole before finding water at his ninth. The World No.98 was able to regroup with birdies at his 11th and 14th holes."The National is one of the best courses we play on tour because it's so tough," he said. "But I like it as you have to keep the ball on the fairways because if you miss them by as little as three yards you are in trouble."I should probably have taken more club at 18th or my ninth or aimed the shot a bit further to the left of the flag, but I was pleased with the way I went on."Ramsay heads the Tartan contingent, with Bathgate's Stephen Gallacher and Borders David Drysdale both posting 71s. Leading the pack, though, is Sweden's Christian Nilsson after carding a six- under-par 65. Three players, Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee, England's Gary Boyd and Italian teenager, Matteo Manassero are each have a share of second with 66s.Nilsson is without a single top-35 finish all season, a run which caused him to lose confidence in his game. "It's been a struggle for me so far this year," he said. "My long game was pretty bad."Third-ranked Lee Westwood recovered from playing four over after six holes and from playing one shot while in a lake to match Open champion Darren Clarke's 70. That was one better than Justin Rose and two strokes better than both Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell. "It was not going my way, but you just have to get it out of your mind," said Westwood.

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Scot on the up to go under par

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