Wind beneath the wins could mean Scots are on song
RICHIE RAMSAY reckons a reworking of the greens and forecast blustery conditions make the time ripe for a fifth Scottishborn winner of the CB Qatar Masters in Doha.
Ramsay, 40, muscled his way into contention in a five-hole run mid-round en route to an eventual three-under 69 and a one-under tally in the Qatar capital.
Aussie haydn Barron birdied the closing three holes for a second day running as his 67 allowed the world No.807 to take the lead by two shots at nine under.
Former champion ewen Ferguson heads four of six Scots to make the weekend cut, adding a 71 to be three under and two clear of Ramsay, Stephen Gallacher (73) and Scott Jamieson (71).
Ramsay is making a hopeful lucky 13th appearance in the Qatar event since his debut in 2010, with his best result being a share of sixth place six years ago.
he capped his round with birdies at his seventh and ninth holes ahead of holing a 40-foot curling putt for an eagle three at his 10th before a birdie at the next, with his only dropped shots coming at 12 and 15.
Ramsay said: “The course is playing really well and the club deserves a lot of credit in the way they’ve changed the greens and expanded the surfaces, as they’re excellent.
“I was pleased to post a decent score today in what was a good fightback from my opening round (a 74).
“The thing is also if you look at the history of this event and it’s no coincidence the number of Scottish-born winners as the course tends to play quite firm here, and if the wind does get up it can be one of the windiest places we play on the Tour.”
Previous Scottish winners include Andrew Coltart (1998), Paul Lawrie (1999 and 2012) and Ferguson (2022).
Meanwhile, Blairgowrie’s Gregor Graham became the fifth Scot in the past 13 years to capture the South African Amateur title in Johannesburg. The 20-year-old beat Jordan Burnand 4&2.