Aberdeen’s Richie Ramsay is determined to make the most of his late spot at this week’s Open championship.
The 32-year-old, initially fourth reserve for St Andrews, was given the final place in the field after South African Tim Clark withdrew because of problems obtaining a visa.
Ramsay was deflated after missing the cut at last week’s Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open but has an immediate chance to bounce back thanks to his unexpected start at the Old Course, which will be his fifth Open appearance.
He said: “When you have an opportunity like this you have to grab it.
“The call that I was in the field came late on Sunday and it was a great call to get. When I was a reserve, I was thinking it would be great to get in and play the Open at St Andrews but if I didn’t then I would get a week off to practice. It was a win-win situation.
“I just want to do myself justice this week. I want to be the best I can be and achieve everything I can.
“If I do that then I can hold my head up high. If I don’t then it drives me bananas. I don’t like the person I am when I don’t give 100% and am not searching out new ways of getting better.
“That is something you either have or you don’t have, it is not something you can work on. I am just trying to get better.”
Ramsay has a good record at St Andrews, finishing runner-up at last year’s Alfred Dunhill links championship.
He said: “It helps that I know the course well. I don’t need to do too much work.
“I just need to get a feel for what the course is doing and how far the ball is flying with the temperature.
“I have played well here. I would say it is a pretty simple golf course. I know where to hit it and where not to hit it. It is just a matter of playing aggressively and holing some putts. If you do that then there is a score out there to be had.”
One man who does not have nearly as much experience around St Andrews is Jordan Spieth but Ramsay still expects the 21-year-old to be well in contention around the top of the leaderboard come Sunday afternoon.
He added: “It is going to be easier for him because it is softer. Every shot you hit won’t be exaggerated by the bounce and you will get away with a bit more.
“He doesn’t have much time to get ready but if I was him I would just be trying to go out and enjoy playing the Old Course in a tournament.
“He is the hottest guy in the world. He doesn’t seem to have too many weaknesses and the big plus is that he is a great putter.
“On the Old Course you have to drive it well but when you look at the stats, the guys who are in the top 10 for putting normally win.”