On top of the world

In an NCG exclusive US Amateur champion Richie Ramsay explains how he has prepared for the biggest week of his life...

What were your first impressions of Augusta?
It's just not what you would imagine. Augusta National's a bit of a sanctuary on the other side of the town. But it was a buzz just driving up Magnolia Lane because you think of all the players who have done that every year to play The Masters. You then see the range and the clubhouse and then you walk out of the clubhouse and the place is unbelievable. It's immaculate, there are gorgeous views and the place is very undulating, there are a lot of slopes on it that you don't quite get the grasp of from the television.

How long did you get to spend there?
About five days. I played the course about three times and then one of the days I just played nine and really took my time to have a look around and get a feel for all the different shots I'll need out there and how the wind affects things. But the course was very wet and it was cold so it was probably playing at it's longest, although maybe not its toughest because the greens were quite soft.

But now I can go there and not just think about it being a really long course because I've had that experience.

Did you enjoy soaking up the history and atmosphere of the place?
One of the best parts was getting to look around the champion's locker room and seeing the names of the legends of the game on those lockers. I loved looking at all the pictures in the clubhouse and the Green Jackets and they have a cabinet that holds all the clubs that past champions have given to them, like the seven iron Sandy Lyle used to get out of the bunker, that sort of thing. It's great to wander around and realise that this is where it all happens and where the excitement is.

Has that first visit taken any of the wow factor out of Augusta so you can go there and not be overawed by it come April?
Yeah, that's one of the reason's I went out there because you can always get a bit distracted by it all. Obviously it's great to be there but I want to concentrate on the golf. At the end of the day I'm there to do a job and now I've been I think I've got rid of that initial shock factor.

But, as beautiful as it is, you have to be on your game all the time because even if you hit a mediocre shot you get punished for it. Before you know it you can be thinking how do I make par here.

What were your feelings when you got round to Amen Corner?
Amen Corner was definitely the highlight, back here that's what you get to see a lot of and it's what you identify Augusta as. That 10th hole where you go down the hill and then you've got 11 and 12 that kicks off the turn.

It's great to play the front nine but it's when you get to that point that you really realise that you're playing Augusta.
When I got there I thought to myself Œjust enjoy it'. I was happy just to be there, admiring a beautiful golf course. It's some course. But until you're there you don't get an idea of how hard those holes are. The 11th is a really demanding par four, on 12 the green is a lot smaller than you think and it's hard to judge the wind, and the dog-leg at 13, I never realised how much it whips around the corner.

Although it looks the same as on the TV with the greens, the trees and the bunkers, because of the way the cameras are angled you don't get a feeling for the slopes and the change in direction on some of the holes.

How did you find the notoriously fast greens ­ did you get a good feel for them?
They were fast while I was there but weren't as firm as they normally would be and the big thing about the greens was that come the tournament they shave the fringes off. That makes a big difference at holes like 12, 15 and 16 where if you get too much spin on the ball you'll end up back in the water.

Also if you leave yourself in the wrong position on a green you can make yourself look like a 20-handicapper. Leave yourself a downhill putt and you're in dire straits in some places.

But I've managed to get someone with a lot of course knowledge to caddy for me, which will be a big help.

Have you got a plan in place already?
I've got a rough idea and I know the places to hit it and not to hit it, but I'll be going back in March to play when it's a bit dryer and firmer and faster, I'll get a better idea then. Like a links course It demands a lot of different shots from you, especially because of the way the greens are sloped, and I think my game can stand up to that.

How will you handle the nerves of playing with defending champion Phil Mickelson on your Masters debut?
I'm going to love it, it's a dream for me. I mean you might see me and I might not be scoring well but I'm going to love it because the atmosphere is going to be unbelievable.

To be playing with one of the guys who are number 4 or 5 in the world and who has just won at Pebble Beach, and to play with someone else whose pretty useful in the world top 50 is an opportunity that doesn't come around that often when you are an amateur. There's a small bit of pressure there but no matter what happens it will be great to get out there and show what I can do on a big stage.

None of the four amateurs made the cut at last year's Masters, is making the cut your ultimate goal for the week?
Yeah, I think it's a step-by-step process; making the cut is what you want to do obviously. Getting off to a solid start in those first 18 holes will be a priority and then making the cut because once I get past that stage I think the pressure will be off. By doing that I think I will have proved myself but as long as I'm happy with the way I've played at the end of the week, that's enough for me because when I'm happy my game will take care of itself

Are you looking forward to staying in the Crows Nest?
I'll probably stay there for a couple of nights and soak up the atmosphere but then move to a hotel when the tournament starts. It's pretty small up there and I know a few of the amateurs who are playing and if any of them snore you're going to know about it. So it'll be a great experience but I think that when it comes to the tournament I've got to be selfish and think what is the best approach for me.

What does it feel like to know that you are going to be part of Masters history?
It's something that very few people get the chance to do and I think just to go out there and have your day and have your name on the starters sheet is amazing. Even getting the envelope with your invite to say come and play in the Masters is really special so I can't wait to get out there. Whatever happens I can always say that I've played in a Masters with Phil Mickelson.

What are you most looking forward to about Masters week?
The atmosphere, I love playing under pressure, it's what you practise for. I think the best times I've had on a golf course is when I've been playing for my country in things like the Home Internationals and the Walker Cup when everything builds to a climax and it comes down to whether you can handle that pressure and it's you against everybody else, and that's the side I love. Going out there and having that atmosphere and that challenge in front of me will be great.

Which were your favourite holes?
From the 10th to the 16th are great holes. You really need to place your tee shots and leave yourself the right angles into the flags to attack them, and then sometimes you need to play away from the flags and let the slopes take them in.

The bottom side of the course is great and I think it'll be a great place to play when it's full of people. It was great just to play it as a course but come Masters time it's going to be really special.