New dad Richie Ramsay is ready to swing back into action at Valderrama.
The European Tour player from Aberdeen took time off for the birth of baby Olivia after the Desert Swing.
But will make his return at the Spanish Open tomorrow and his appetite has been whetted by Danny Willett’s stunning US Masters title triumph.
“It’s certainly got me in the mood to get back out and play,” said Ramsay. “It was an incredible win for Danny, especially as he’s only 28.
“And if I could win one major, the US Masters is the one I’d choose.
“Danny’s not going to have a better week, with the birth of his first child and that win.”
Willett’s success will spur Ramsay on and he added: “I always had Valderrama pencilled-in for my return to action. It is a great golf course with a lot of history.
“There are some incredible holes. I have good memories competing there, particularly in 2011 when I was in the mix with home favourites Sergio Garcia and Miguel Angel Jimenez for the Andalucia Masters title
“Sergio’s Foundation is supporting the event and backing a major Spanish cancer charity this week. He’s someone I have looked up to. I like the way he plays golf. Sergio wears his heart on his sleeve and that’s no bad thing.”
Ramsay is returning to action for the first time since missing the cut at February’s Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
The Aberdonian’s paternity break coincided with a recurrence of the eye problem which forced him to miss six weeks towards the end of the season.
But after taking drops to cure the problem, caused by inflammation of the pupil, Ramsay is relishing being back on the course.
The 32-year-old has watched tennis player Andy Murray’s form flag since he became a father for the first time. But he is hopeful of hitting the ground running: “It’s still early days but already I am well aware that life has changed in the Ramsay household,” said.
“I had Valderrama in mind for getting back on the Tour but still it was tough when the reality of leaving home dawned on me.
“There were a few tears shed. And not by Olivia. I got quite emotional.
“I think it has been a good release spending time with Olivia. You can spend too much time thinking about golf.
“Sportsmen are quite one-dimensional. They are always looking to improve all the time and I am no different.
“We all focus on ourselves, knowing that is what will help achieve goals. When you throw in something else it causes waves. So there has to be a period of adjustment.
“Olivia normally gets a bit grumpy at night. She has to have her bath, her feed and then it’s time for bed. Normally at that time I’d be doing my stretching. Instead of me dictating what happens, it’s the baby that calls the shots.
“I have tried to get the balance right, making sure I have got the work done on my game at Kingsfield and Renaissance and also spending time with my family.
“Ask a lot of golfers or tennis players, who spend a lot of time on the road, and they will tell you finding that balance between family time and getting your job done is one of the hardest tasks.
“If you spend more time on one than the other, there may be a feeling of guilt that you are neglecting the other side.”
