Ramsay still in front, but only just

Richie Ramsay has developed a habit of summing up his words. It has to do with the accent, which often makes it sound anything but English. Needless to say, this is when he is in this part of the world.

As soon as he emerged from the score recorders on Friday, his lead at three strokes - which by the end of Day III of the Hero Indian Open had come down to one - Ramsay was besieged by a horde of enthusiastic children.

Surging ahead, autographs and signed golf balls were what they sought. The genial Scot obliged initially, but after a while it got tedious. The face still wearing a smile, and the palm occasionally reaching out to a tender shoulder and patting it, Ramsay explained that they could continue with the exercise during the clinic a few hours later.

The mixture of nods and blank looks made it clear that the young crowd had missed the point. A sum-up followed. This time, he chose the words carefully and uttered them slowly. Satisfied, the children dispersed.

The ability has come by training. Ramsay completed his bachelors' degree in marketing and sports studies quite some time back, but the knack has stayed with the 29-year-old. As for the accent, there is little this resident of Aberdeen can do to help.

On Saturday, Ramsay found it hard to "fight the wind coming and going from all directions" of the Karnataka Golf Association.

The round of one-under 70, unlike the 66 on the previous two days, did astonish. "I was good off the tees but…..it is surprising to be leading," he exclaimed.

A shot ahead of Finland's Jaakko Makitalo, the pressure is on Ramsay. But he finds it to his liking. "If I can be in contention on the back-nine, I can pose a number that other people will have to chase down. It will be no-holds barred after that."

The craned necks in the media centre, each trying to comprehend the words, confirmed that the task was in no way easier than what Ramsay had had to brave on the course.

The smile again came into play and a synopsis followed: "I messed up a lot of putts this week, if I can make them tomorrow, I'll be in with a chance," he said.

Running a check around the room, the Scot knew he had made his point.