Richie aiming for strong finish

Carbon Financial’s DP World Tour ambassador Richie Ramsay admits he is in “the autumn” of his career and having to cope with the toll years of professional golf has taken on his body. But after securing a joint third place finish at the D+D Real Czech Masters in Prague, the Scot is determined to round off the season in style, with a string of high-profile events on the horizon.

“It was great being in contention over the weekend in Prague, even if I suffered a few frustrating lip outs with the putter on the final day. Now I am looking forward to a series of big tournaments on courses I am familiar with and where I have enjoyed some good results.

“After the Betfred British Masters at The Belfry, the Omega European Masters in Switzerland and the Amgen Irish Open, I have the BMW PGA Championships at Wentworth in the diary and, of course, the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews in October.

“I have always tended to enjoy better form mid to late season so I am looking to use the Prague performance as a springboard as I prepare for playing nine of the next 11 weeks.

“My game is in a good place. Unfortunately, I have been experiencing trouble with my neck and back, so I’ll have to monitor things closely because your health must come first.

“I have been a regular in the physio’s room on Tour and it got to the stage where I had to make a trip to London to get an injection in my neck from a specialist who is used to dealing with sports injuries. Fortunately, the Tour has some good contacts.

“I have a disc and nerve issue which has been locking up muscles in my back at times in the last few months. The pain got worse after the Scottish Open and obviously it’s not ideal.

“But it’s part of the gig when you've been playing golf for 20 years. But I have played any number of pro ams with guys who have had to work through the pain barrier, whatever their job was.

“I recall golfing with Ruud Gullit, one of the all-time greats of Dutch football. He admitted his body, especially his back, had taken a battering. He played in an era when you’d be kicked off the park.

“Every sport is getting more physical, more powerful. At least in golf you're not being damaged by other players!

“I’m fine with it because it's an unwritten contract you sign up to when you want to make a career in professional sport. You know there will be bumps in the road.

“I have always wanted to make the most out of my career and that outlook hasn't changed. I go for the saunas and heat pads rather than the ice baths preferred by some of the guys.

“Hopefully the treatment and injection help me out over the next few weeks. I have been working out in the gym regularly at Gleneagles and got out on the PGA Centenary Course with Academy pro Alex Price and my fellow Tour player Calum Hill.

“I really like the King’s and Queen’s Courses there but the PGA Centenary mirrors a Tour set-up more than the others. It has really helped me prepare properly for Prague and the run of tournaments that lies ahead.”