Richie Ramsay hopes to find inspiration in the stunning scenery of Crans-sur-Sierre once more as he defends his Omega European Masters title this week.
The 30 year old Scot was a runaway four shot winner 12 months ago, and feels he has the form in place to contend again after a third top-ten finish of the season at Gleneagles two weeks ago.
“I’m enjoying coming back,” said Ramsay. “It’s a beautiful town and everything is compact and close together; you can be on the high street one minute and the course the next.
“I’m feeling quite confident - I played good at Gleneagles. The game is in good shape and if I hole a few putts I can get in the mix again on the back nine on Sunday. That’s where it counts and where the pressure comes; I’m quite positive when I have that pressure.
The stunning Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana has become one of the most iconic venues on The European Tour, and Ramsay admits it is hard not to feel inspired by the mountain scenery.
“It helps your attitude more than anything,” he continued. “It doesn’t matter where you go in the world, if the surroundings are beautiful you tend to have a feel-good factor.
“It’s a bit like if you go to the Masters and you drive down Washington Drive, which is a typical American street, and you turn into Magnolia Lane and it is like an oasis. Your attitude will change and your eyes open up and it is the same thing here when you are in Switzerland.
“The views are unparalleled. There is a feel good factor which makes you happier, and when you are happy you play better golf.
“It doesn’t matter how many times you play the course, when you walk through that lane past the chalets and it opens up to the valley, it still is so impressive. It’s just a fantastic place, but along with that the way Omega and the golf club support the tournament.
“They are always looking to improve: it’s like myself, every year I’m trying to make myself better and improve and every year I come here they are trying to enhance the course and the tournament. People see it on the TV and everyone looks on it fondly as a tournament they want on their schedule.”
