Ramsay’ s shot in the arm

Richie playing his card right as he gets off to flyer in Andalucia

Aberdeen’s Richie Ramsay gave his hopes of keeping his Euroepan Tour card for 2019 a shot in the arm with a two-under-par 69 in the weather-affected Andalucia Valderrama Masters in Spain yesterday.

The Scot, who is 124th in the Race to Dubai rankings and who needs to finish inside the top 115 this week to gain his privileges for next season, is tied for seventh place, three shots off the lead held by England’s Ashley Chesters.

Ramsay’s score came despite a double-bogey 7 on the 17 th, his eighth hole of the day.

“I didn’t know what way to approach this week because I’ve never been in this position before,” he said.

“So I spoke to my daughter (Olivia was born in 2016) and she is happy and healthy and as long as she is dad can go and play golf.

“If I play to my capabilities I can definitely get into contention and think about winning, not just keeping my card.”

Tournament host Sergio Garcia made an excellent start to his bid for a third-straight victory in the event. Garcia has finished outside the top 10 just once in 13 previous appearances at Valderrama and an opening 68 left him two shots off the clubhouse lead.

A thunderstorm delayed the start of play by two hours and another in early afternoon led to a further suspension of play which meant half the 126-strong field did not complete their rounds.

“It was nice,” Garcia said after his first round since becoming the top points scorer in Ryder Cup history in Europe’s victory at Le Golf National in Paris.

“Obviously I didn’t feel as smooth when I came back from the break. I hit a great shot on six, unfortunately missed that birdie putt and then hit a couple of loose shots, but any time you shoot under par on this course, it doesn’t matter the conditions, I’m obviously happy about it.

“I saw a lot things, a couple of great of things that we need to improve but overall it was a good day.

“To be here at my favourite golf course to play, where I’m a member from last year onwards, it’s great fun and hopefully we’ll get a little bit lucky. It doesn’t look like the weather is going to be very helpful but it would be nice to get as many rounds as possible.”

Chesters carded six birdies and a solitary bogey in a five-under-par 66 which gave him a one-shot lead over France’s Gregory Bourdy, with Australia’s Jason Scrivener alongside Garcia on three under.

“Considering all the delays and everything, I’m happy with that and the last few holes are probably the best I played all day,” Chesters said after birdies on the 17th and 18th.

“It’s not a long-hitters course so it does suit me because you just need to get it in position off the tee.

“The forecast for the rest of the week isn’t good so I was just thinking to myself, ‘nobody knows how many holes we’re going to get played’, so I was just trying to make as many birdies as I can and get in.”

Aberdeen’s David Law leads the Scottish challenge on the Challenge Tour after posting a six-underpar 66 in his first round at the Forshan Open.

On a day of low scoring, Jack Singh Brar posted a career-best 63 to top the leaderboard at nine under.

Rough weather: Ashley Chesters sets the pace