Ramsays perfect wedding gift as scot secures place in Race to Dubai finale
The UAE must hold a special place in the heart of Scotland’s Richie Ramsay who has clinched his place at the end of season DP World Tour Championship, Dubai just seven months after winning the Emirates Airline Invitational, hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah in Abu Dhabi. The 28 year-old Scot wrapped up the second European Tour win of his career at the Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre at the weekend and with it guaranteed a place at the $8 million DP World Tour Championship, which will be staged on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates from 22-25 November.
Victory in the Swiss mountains moved him up 15 places to 20th with season earnings of €763,254 in The Race to Dubai ensuring he will be one of the top 60 players qualifying for the end-of-season finale in Dubai.
It will come at the end of a whirlwind year for the Scot. In January he became engaged to his fiancée Angela just a few weeks before shooting a course-record 10-under par 62 to win the 2012 Emirates Airline Invitational, hosted by Abdullah Al Naboodah at Yas Links, Abu Dhabi.
A top six finish in the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles last month was followed by victory in Switzerland giving the happy couple – they get married on September 21 – an early wedding present of a trip to Dubai.
“I think Angela’s even more excited about it than I am,” said Ramsay, after adding the Swiss title to his only previous European Tour triumph at the 2010 South African Open Championship.
“I’ve been there the last two years and it’s a great place. The golf course is always set up immaculately well, the weather’s fantastic and the guys at the Atlantis always look after us so it’s an incredible week.
“For the last three weeks I’ve been thinking about securing my place in the top 60 of The Race to Dubai and now that I’ve done that, it’s a huge relief. I’ve really dedicated myself to achieving what I want to achieve in this game, and to win here then book my place in Dubai is the best double whammy you could ever imagine.”
Ramsay’s move to 20th place in The Race to Dubai was the major move in the standings this week, while Sweden’s Fredrik Andersson Hed – who tied for second place in Crans alongside Dubai-bound quartet Romain Wattel, Marcus Fraser, Danny Willett and Bernd Wiesberger – has edged himself into contention in 58th place in the top 60.
“Going into last week’s tournament I was struggling to keep my card but now I am looking at having a decent chance of being in the top 60 for The Race to Dubai,” said the Swede.
The Race to Dubai now moves to Holland for this week’s KLM Open at Hilversum with plenty to play for as the players count down to the DP World Tour Championship. Tickets for the season-ending event at Jumeirah Golf Estates are available free of charge by registering at www.dpwtc.com
Caption: Richie Ramsay is set for the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai after winning the Omega European Masters in Switzerland
