Emotional Richie Ramsay chasing 'one last win' for daughter Olivia

After backing up an opening 66 with a second-round 69 for a nine-under-par total, the 42-year-old is in contention at the halfway stage in the $8 million Rolex Series event at the Surrey venue.

It might be a surprise to some that Ramsay’s name is up near the top of this particular leaderboard, though more down to the fact he’s not a long-hitter than missing five cuts in a row coming into this week.

However, the Aberdonian has an impressive record here, having missed just four cuts in 16 previous appearances and recording two top-ten finishes, including a tie for sixth in 2019.

“I am exceptionally happy with the way I have played,” said Ramsay, who had moved to ten under after picking up shots at the fourth, fifth, 11th and 12th in his second circuit before repairing part of the damage from bogeys at the 13th and 15th with a closing birdie.

“This is our flagship tournament and there has been a bit of pressure on myself the last few weeks, when I’ve probably not been playing as well as I could have but, at the same time, a lot of good golf in there.

“Yeah, you think about it and it plays on your mind. I am not going to lie. You do wake up and think about swings and putts and stuff when you are lying in bed at night, just like any good golfer.

“This week I’ve stayed patient and just tried to commit to my shots. It’s also a place I know well. I love coming here and I always feel like I have, not a point to prove, but a chance because of the way the course sets up.”

Ramsay’s most recent title triumph came in the 2022 Cazoo Classic at Hillside and, though having spoken for a spell about calling time on his career when hitting 40, he is now ready to keep taking on the young guns for a few more years.

“Although it had maybe waned a bit over the last month or so, I believe that I have one more win in me,” he said. “I don’t know when that will come. Would I love it to come this week? Yes.

“I feel I am capable on the right course that I can compete, 100 per cent, and these last two days have reignited that belief. For me, that is brilliant because, due to the pressures in golf, you can sometimes get down a bit and you’ve got to remember to believe in yourself and you’ve got to be your biggest supporter - apart from my daughter, Olivia!

‘I know that this is not going to last forever’

“I’ve got a timeline. If I can be there mentally and stay competitive and the body is good, I will always play out here. I don’t know when I will hang up my clubs, but I just know that this is not going to last forever.

“So it is quite cool that Olivia is here to watch me. Sorry (apologising as he welled up), sometimes I just have to realise it is pretty cool playing in the BMW PGA and it’s cool that Olivia gets to see it.”

Ramsay was joined on nine under by Ewen Ferguson after the three-time tour winner eagled the 18th from just over 22 feet for a second-round 68.

KLM Open winner Connor Syme (three under) and Bob MacIntyre (two under) were the only other Scots to make the cut as a total of 84 players made it through to the weekend. A second cut at the end of the third round will reduce the field to 78 for the closing circuit.