ST ANDREWS TROPHY

RICHIE RAMSAY LOSES SINGLES TIE
IN CZECH REPUBLIC

Richie Ramsay's run to United States amateur championship glory last weekend finally took its toll during the opening day of the St Andrews Trophy two-day match between Great Britain & Ireland and the Continent of Europe at Marianske Lazne in the Czech Republic today.
While GB&I powered into a commanding 9 1/2 - 2 1/2 lead at the halfway stage of the biennial contest, 23-year-old Ramsay went down 4 and 3 to Finland's Antti Ahokas, a left-hander who is ranked one of the top amateurs in Europe, in their singles clash.
After partnering Craigielaw's Lloyd Saltman to an impressive victory in the morning foursomes, Ramsay struggled to discover his form in the afternoon as Ahokas gained revenge for the second round defeat he suffered to the Aberdonian at Hazeltine National last week.
"I've played a lot of golf recently and it does catch up with you but I'm not using that as an excuse," said Ramsay.
"At this time of the season you expect to play a lot of golf and I train hard for these weeks. But this afternoon my performance was not up to the standard it should be."
Richie and former Open Silver Medal winner Saltman were a brilliant seven-under-par during their one-hole win over Ahokas and Wil Besseling in the foursomes.
But GB&I team captain Colin Dalgleish has reluctantly agreed to break-up the impressive Scots double-act and give Ramsay a break from the Saturday-morning action.
"We discussed it and decided to give Richie a break," said Dalgleish. "Ideally you wouldn't change such a partnership but he needs to catch his breath and he's happy to take the rest."Ramsay and Saltman's foursomes win paved the way for GB&I to make a clean sweep of the session and open up a 4-0 lead going into the singles.
The visitors picked up a further 5 1/2 points during the afternoon which took them to within 2 1/2 points of retaining the trophy.
Saltman pitched in with a 2 and 1 win over Spaniard Jose Adarraga while Essex teenager Oliver Fisher, the St Andrews Links Trophy winner, eased to a 5 and 4 win over Jordi Garcia Del Moral.
Welsh Walker Cup stalwart Nigel Edwards enjoyed a fine triumph as he beat British amateur champion Julien Guerrier 3 and 2.
English amateur champion Ross McGowan was the only other GB&I player apart from Ramsay to taste defeat. He went down 2 and 1 to Lorenzo Gagli.
"There were some excellent performances and I'm very pleased," added Dalgleish.
"The foursomes performances gave us a superb start and we are now in a very good position."

ST ANDREWS TROPHY
FIRST DAY SCORELINE

GB&I 9 1/2 CONTINENT OF EUROPE 2 1/2
Foursomes (GB&I names first)
R Ramsay, L Saltman bt A Ahokas, W Besseling 1 hole;R McIlroy, O Fisher bt J Garcia Del Moral, J Adarraga 2&1;R McGowan, J Moul bt M Del Podio, L Gagli 4&3;N Edwards, R Davies bt J Guerrier, J Grillon 3&1;
Singles
Ramsay lost to Ahokas 4&3.
McIlroy halved with D Ulrich.
Fisher bt Garcia Del Moral 5&4.
Saltman bt Adarraga 2&1.
R Dinwiddie bt Grillon 3&1.
Davies bt Del Podio 1 hole.
McGowan lost to Gagli 2&1.
Edwards bt Guerrier 3&2;

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