Golf: HE's GREEN AND MEAN ; THE US MASTERS 2007... Cool Scot Richie Matches Phil on Debut

Apr 06, 01:39 AM

Current Headlines: By NEIL CAMERON In Augusta

RICHIE RAMSAY choose to wear a short-sleeved green shirt on his first day of real work at the Augusta National... then went out his way to impress the man with two Green Jackets.

As partner Phil Mickelson toiled during one of his most frustrating ever rounds at the Masters - only two late birdies give him any hope of regaining his title - the Scottish amateur did himself proud.

The 23-year-old Aberdonian kept his cool in the Georgian heat and carded a first round four-over-par total of 76, the same score as Mickelson and one that many of golf's so-called superstars would love to have signed for on a difficult first day.

Ramsay will have to shoot lower today to make the cut tonight so there is still a lot to be done, especially with England's Justin Rose setting the early pace with a round of 69.

He led by two shots from the American Ryder Cup player Brett Wetterich.

But rookie Ramsay could be well pleased with the way in which he conducted himself from first shot to last.

Even by Augusta's standards, the green were fast - it seemed at times as if they were putting on solid ice - and the course was playing long. Really long.

However, for Ramsay it all started on the first tee where the rookie showed defending champ Mickelson just how it should be done.

The American sent his tee shot into the light rough.

Ramsay then showed nerves of steel as he made a quite beautiful connection to send his drive down the centre of the fairway.

Mickelson found the bunker with his second on his way to a bogey, the first of an incredible seven dropped shots.

Ramsay didn't birdie any holes but he did plot his way intelligently around a course that most players say needs at least five visits for a golfer to feel anything like comfortable.

His reward was an excellent 14 pars.

The delighted Scot said: "It was a lot of fun out there.

"I played really well but it was the same old story. I just didn't putt well and that's the key at Augusta. I felt I should have had a 74, so those extra two shots annoyed me.

"I was a bit nervous on the first tee but what an experience. To play at the Masters with Phil as the defending champion is something I will remember for the rest of my life.

"My iron play was really nice and my focus was great.

"Mentally, that was probably the best I have ever been.

"I had hit that first shot in my head so many times and for it to come off shows I was in a good mental state.

"I just wanted to see that ball rise and hit the left-hand side of the fairway - and it. "Phil had a big following and the big crowds were incredible. They were great with me. That proved I can handle those kind of situations and thrive on them. I'm upfor the challenge and I'll come out fighting for the second round."

As one local was overheard to say: "That young Scattish boy can hit a ball".

Colin Montgomerie, on the other hand, wasn't so happy.

Monty wasn't in the mood for talking after his round of 74, four- over. "Not today," was all he could muster after walking off the 18th green with a face like thunder.

Abad start saw him bogey the first two holes but that was quickly sorted out with birdies at three and then the short sixth to get back to even.

But dropped shots at nine, 12, 14 and 17 put the big man in a bad mood. Monty had been telling us all week he wouldn't be in the mix but he clearly expected a better start at the very least.

The one Scot who has won the Masters, Sandy Lyle, had another round to forget. In fact, it's difficult to recall the last good one one if we're being brutally honest.

Next year will see the 20th anniversary of Lyle's win at Augusta and his magic with a golf club is a thing of the past.

In 1988 he hit one of the finest ever golf shots at the 72nd hole when his seven-iron from a bunker ended up a few feet from the hole. He sank the birdie putt and a Green jacket was his.

Yesterday, his second shot to 18 hit a spectator sitting six rows back in the greenside stand.

Lyle said: "That was a very disappointing round as I was hitting the ball pretty decently.

"But I paid for three bad long iron shots which proved very expensive. I didn't chip as well as I would have liked and the putting is very tricky around here as well I know.

"I threw in four three-putts and it was so disappointing to double-bogey the first.

"I was pleased to stop the bleeding a bit but then I played two nice shots into the 10th and three-putted from 20 feet.

"But what hurt me more than anything was that I had a few horrid second shots. I tugged the ball left and that's the one shot which has been hurting me for years. I just picked the wrong time to do it.

"It could easily have been a 74 or a 75 and I was hoping for a few good things but it just didn't happen and that's what was so disappointing."

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