Ramsay lands first Euro Tour title

CHRISTMAS came early for Aberdeen’s Richie Ramsay after a storming blemish-free last round of seven-under-par 65 helped him lift a £141,745 winning cheque at the South African Open.

And Royal Aberdeen professional Ramsay today admitted his aggressive attitude had earned him his staggering success following his extra-time victory over Indian Shiv Kapur.

“I think everyone knows I’m not the best loser in the world,” admitted 26-year-old Ramsay, who birdied the first hole of a sudden-death play-off to win his first European Tour event.

Kapur drove waywardly left at the first play-off hole into a sandy patch and was still short of the green in three at the 601-yard par-five 18th before failing to hole his chip for birdie as Ramsay took full advantage.

Ramsay said: “I hit a good drive at the first extra hole but it kicked a little bit right and I was left with an approach of 260-yards to the green.

“I had a chat with my caddie Mark Crane before deciding to go for it.

“I hit a 3-wood to about 15ft and two putted for victory,” added Ramsay, who hugged Crane after his emotional finish.

Former US Amateur champion Ramsay had began the final day at Pearl Valley, near Cape Town, five strokes behind Spanish overnight leader Pablo Martin.

But, while Martin could only muster a one-over-par 73 on the Jack Nicklaus-designed course, Ramsay had to hold off Kapur, who closed with a 67 as he also chased an initial European win.