Richie eyes up finale to remember

Carbon's ambassador Richie Ramsay continues on his travels with the Nedbank Golf Challenge in South Africa before the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai begins on November 17. We caught up with the number 29 ranked Scot as he prepares to round-off a memorable 2022 campaign.

“At the start of the season I had two main goals in mind, to win a tournament to keep a promise I had made to win a trophy for my daughter Olivia and to make it back to Dubai after the frustration of missing out for a few years. So it is pleasing to have ticked both those boxes. It is very satisfying with so many good young players coming through on Tour.

“Winning the Cazoo Classic was a major milestone but I have been pleased with my general level of consistency this season. My mindset has been the difference between a decent year and a very good year.

“I have tried to keep a clear focus on what I believe in and not stray from that in the countdown to the next few weeks.

“After being professional for the best part of 15 years that is quite an accomplishment. It is easier when you are young and there’s no scar tissue, physically and mentally.

“Recently I have been working on my putting in advance of the Nedbank. That has been my focus. Small changes could make a huge difference and there’s potential here to have two really big weeks and round off one of my best ever years on Tour.

“I do love a battle. Ian Rae, my coach for 22 years, will testify to that. It gets me focused. I still have the hunger. It is still there and I am still putting in the work that is required at this level.

“I am looking forward to playing two courses which will provide a really good test. It will also be great competing with the best guys out there, the McIlroys, Rahms etc. I look on that as a brilliant challenge. Playing at the DP World finals is a huge opportunity, with scope to vault up the rankings.

“It has been frustrating watching the finale on TV in recent years, especially when I finished in the mid 50s and qualification was moved from 60 to the top 50. But it provided me with fuel for winter training. I have so wanted to be there rather than watching it from afar.

“It is great being in the mix. When the top players are there, it definitely adds another layer to any competition, and it spurs me on.

“There will be someone who makes a major impact this month moving up the rankings because these next two events have so many points on offer, and prize-money totalling $16 million is at stake. That’s a lot of change we are playing for!”