Round Two Report
European Tour rookie Richie Ramsay leads on seven under par at the halfway stage of The Celtic Manor Wales Open but a host of established stars are chasing him closely in the hunt for the £300,000 first prize.
Ross Fisher, the highest-ranked player in the field, is just one behind alongside fellow Englishman Robert Rock, who lies ninth on the Race to Dubai standings for the 2009 season.
Former Volvo Masters champion Jeev Milkha Singh is one shot further adrift and Ryder Cup Captain Colin Montgomerie is only three shots off the lead on the course where he hopes to lead Europe to victory over the Americans next year.
Rising English star Nick Dougherty is on the same mark of four under par and no fewer than 16 players on three under include Denmark’s two-time Ryder Cup winner Thomas Bjorn, Welsh No 1 Stephen Dodd, former Celtic Manor Wales Open winner Paul McGinley and Sweden’s Niclas Fasth.
Leader Ramsay, a former US Amateur Champion from Aberdeen, shot a bogey-free 67 to go with his opening 68.
He said: “It could have been even better. I missed three birdie putts inside six feet and a couple of 10-12 footers. I struck it great, hitting it right over the flag quite a few times.
“But any time on this golf course you shoot four under you’re going to be a happy man because it’s not easy at all.”
Fisher, who won the European Open a year ago, hoped his performance would come to the attention of Montgomerie, who has asked contenders for his Ryder Cup team to compete at The Celtic Manor Wales Open.
Fisher said: “Hopefully Colin will see I’ve done well. It’s a shame that some of the other guys have not come to play.
“I felt this was a good opportunity for me. I didn’t play great in this tournament last year and I still finished 10th after a good weekend.
“This time I’ve got off to a great start and I’ll definitely be going out for the title on Sunday.”
Montgomerie himself put together a second successive 69 and said: “I look forward to playing over the weekend. I’m very comfortable here and I think the crowd is super.”
United States skipper Corey Pavin only just survived the cut at tow over par, as did Wales’ Bradley Dredge and Sion Bebb but they may all be able to make progress on a congested leading pack on Saturday morning
Overnight leader Dougherty opened and closed his second round with birdies and to remain in strong contention before giving a Master Class to fans at The Twenty Ten Course practice range during the afternoon.
With such a strong leaderboard, there will be plenty more for fans to cheer over the weekend at The Celtic Manor Wales Open where tickets are available for purchase on the gate.
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