Richie Ramsay's main ambition is to finish the week inside the top 116 in the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex but after making a strong start at Real Club Valderrama on Thursday, the Scotsman switched his focus to contending for the trophy.
Three-time European Tour winner Ramsay finds himself in an unfamiliar position, sitting 124th on the Race to Dubai ahead of the final full-field event of the 2018 season, knowing a strong finish is required in Spain to maintain his playing privileges.
But he put in a nerveless display on the weather-affected first day of the Andalucía Valderrama Masters hosted by the Sergio Garcia Foundation, posting a 69 to sit three shots off the overnight lead held by Ashley Chesters.
Ramsay started brightly, firing an eagle at the par-five 11th - his second - to get to two under par.
He gave a shot back at the short 12th but quickly made amends, notching back-to-back birdies at the 13th and 14th to jump to three under.
A disappointing double bogey at the 17th threatened to derail his challenge but he made another birdie at the fourth to finish day one two under par.
Ramsay said: "It's a fantastic venue and I just want to go out and give 100 per cent like I do every week and hopefully it'll be enough.
"I feel that if I play to my capabilities around here, I can definitely get in contention and maybe not think about keeping my card, more so think about vying to win a title.
"I made some putts which makes a big difference around here.
"It's the one course where you stand there and you're never just quite comfortable. You've got to focus, pick your shot and just try and execute and hopefully there'll be more of the same tomorrow.
"I didn't know how to approach this week because I've never been in this situation. I spoke to my daughter on FaceTime the other morning and she is happy and healthy.
"So as long as she's happy and healthy, Dad can go out and play golf."
