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Richie Ramsay leads Scottish charge on opening day of Dunhill Links

Richie Ramsay on the 9th hole during day one of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Kingsbarns. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)
Richie Ramsay on the 9th hole during day one of the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at Kingsbarns. (Photo by Mark Runnacles/Getty Images)

Aberdeen’s Richie Ramsay is dreaming of being in contention going down the stretch on Sunday in the Dunhill Links.

The 36-year-old went into this week’s tournament in form after finishing tied sixth in the BMW PGA Championship and kept the momentum going with a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 at Kingsbarns.

Ramsay has a good track record in the event, having finished runner-up to Oliver Wilson in 2014 and would love to go one better this weekend.

He said: “I am just feeding off last week at Wentworth.

“The big thing was just keeping my energy up as it is my seventh week in a row.

“My confidence was high and I went out there and played really steady.

“You always think, if I was to win one tournament then the Scottish Open and the Dunhill are the two that are right there because I used come down here when I was seven or eight and watch the guys play in the Dunhill Cup.

“It’s cool for me to play in it and I’m just proud that I shot a good number.”

Ramsay is two shots behind leader Justin Walters, who carded a nine-under 63 at St Andrews, the course Ramsay plays tomorrow before taking on the more challenging Carnoustie on Saturday.

The Aberdonian added: “I just have to try to keep the foot down because there are so many good players this week.

“I’ve just got to keep chasing more birdies at St Andrews because I want to get in the mix on Sunday.

“That’s my main goal.

“It would be a dream to be on the back nine at St Andrews with a chance to win.”

Russell Knox also made a storming start on his Dunhill Links debut.

The Inverness golfer didn’t dare tell his caddie he was playing with a completely new set of irons but the change paid dividends as he opened with a round of six-under 66 at the Old Course.

Knox used a new set of Srixon 785 irons on his way to equalling his lowest competitive round in Scotland, although his caddie David Clark was none the wiser.

He said: “Am I going to tell you this? Don’t tell my caddie but I switched shafts this week and I didn’t let him know. It was a big secret because I didn’t want him to freak out.

“I went from an X100 to an S300 which is a little softer. He doesn’t know so don’t tell him. Hopefully he doesn’t read the papers.

“He won’t care if I shoot 66, I promise you that.”

Knox was top of the leaderboard after playing the opening 15 holes in seven under before dropping his first shot of the day at the par-4 16th.

An errant approach on the Road Hole, the course’s famous 17th, ended up on the path adjacent to the green and, despite a valiant effort to get up and down, Knox was unable to rescue par but he rolled home a birdie at the last to undo some of the damage.

Knox, three shots adrift of leader Justin Walters, said: “I don’t know the last time I played a shot off a road but that was a good one. It was a brand-new 60 degree wedge that is now all scuffed.

“This was an important round.

“I’ve been desperate to get some momentum going. I need to do a little better. I know St Andrews is always scoreable in this format. The conditions were decent and the pins were relatively easy.

“I needed to go out and play a good round for my confidence.

“I definitely saw enough to be confident so I am happy.”

Kinross’ Calum Hill is also on six under par after a fine 66 at Kingsbarns.

David Law, playing in the same group as fellow Aberdonian Ramsay, is tied 28th after a four-under 68 at Kingsbarns.

Kilmarnock Barassie member Euan Walker, playing in only his second European Tour event, impressed with a four-under 68 at St Andrews.

Scott Jamieson and Liam Johnston are tied 53rd on three under with Stephen Gallacher one shot further back after a 70 at the Old Course. Robert MacIntyre had two eagles in his opening round of one-under 71 at Carnoustie, while Craigielaw’s Grant Forrest is level par.

Only one of the 11 Scots in the field finished over par with David Drysdale shooting a 75 at St Andrews.