Scots golfer Richie Ramsay was cursing the putts that got away as he was left feeling blue on the greens in the British Masters at Close House.

The Aberdonian was in the thick of the title race and was just a shot off the lead with one round to play but had to settle for a share of eighth on a 12-under tally after a closing 69.

Ramsay, with three European Tour titles to his name, had good birdie chances on the opening few holes but couldn’t capitalise as eventual winner Paul Dunne pulled away.

Ramsay, 34, said: “If I putted well I would have had a shout. I’ve finished 12-under but I’m looking at some of my putts that shaved the edge or came up short and I see maybe a score of nine shots better off.

“It’s that age old problem. Scottish golfers can hit it as good as anyone but we can’t putt. It was a story of what could’ve been. I still feel I can get the win though. I just need the putts to drop."

Glasgow’s Marc Warren followed up his morale-boosting second place finish in the Portugal Masters the previous weekend with a solid top 20 as he signed off with a 68 for a 10-under score and a share of 15th.

Having been in danger of losing his Tour card, Warren’s profitable fortnight has lifted him up to 87th on the Race to Dubai and he will head to this week’s big-money Dunhill Links Championship with a spring in his step.

Warren, a three-time winner on the European circuit, said: “I’m doing a lot of things really well. I have better control of the shots I’m hitting off the tee and technically my swing is getting better and better. I think I’m seeing the results of that on the golf course.”

Stephen Gallacher finished alongside Warren on 10-under and was content with his week’s work after battling the lingering effects of chronic sinusitis

Former Ryder Cup player Gallacher, who made the cut with little to spare on Friday, said: “I’m absolutely shattered. I’m pleased, though. The most pleasing thing was my mental approach. I wasn’t feeling 100 per cent so I had to play within myself a lot. I also had to dig in at the end of the second round to make the cut as I was struggling but I’ve had a strong weekend and it’s been worth it.”