Richie Ramsay's top-five finish in Dubai boosts belief that he can win again

The 34-year-old has a real spring in his step after seeing some hard work over the winter pay dividends with a top-five finish in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. He closed with a best-of-the-day eight-under-par 64 at Emirates Golf Club to leap from joint-49th overnight into a share of sixth spot behind China’s Haotong Li.

“To have a round like that so early in the season is big for me because I’m not an early-season player,” said Ramsay after securing a pay-day for close to £42,000.

“Being that bit longer off the tee (with a new Callaway driver), I can see now why the scores out here are so low while I’ve also done a lot of work with distance control and that’s got a lot better.”

Two-time winner Stephen Gallacher had to settle for a share of 57th spot after closing with a 71 to finish on  seven-under.

“I couldn’t get any momentum going,” he said afterwards. “For 12 holes today I hadn’t really missed a shot but I am being punished for my bad ones just now. My ball stuck up a tree at the 14th, for example, when I was three-under.”

Li claimed the biggest win of his career after picking up three birdies in the last four holes to pip two-time winner Rory McIlroy by a shot.

“Happy, incredible,” replied the 22-year-old to being asked to describe his emotions after posting a tournament record total of 23-under-par to deny McIlroy a record-equalling third victory in the event.

n Turkish Airlines flies 5 times a week from Edinburgh to Dubai via Istanbul starting from £350 including taxes and golf clubs fly for free in addition to a 40kg baggage allowance as standard (50kg in business). Book  turkishairlines.com or 0844  800 6666.