Stephen Gallacher waited 19 years to again compete alongside Tiger Woods and now the Scot will go head-to-head with the World No. 1 three times in four days in Dubai.
In their first match-up yesterday (TUES) since the 1995 Walker Cup at Royal Portcawl, Gallacher scored a two shot victory over Woods shooting a round of 69 in the Dubai Desert Classic ‘Former Champions Challenge’.
Stephen Gallacher and Tiger Woods side-by-side for three out of four days in Dubai. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
Sweden’s Henrik Stenson and Spain’s Rafa Cabrera-Bello shared a $US 500,000 first prize purse with a pair of 66s and part of the 25th anniversary celebrations for the Dubai Desert Classic starting tomorrow (Thur).
And while Gallacher was on the course competing alongside Woods and his compatriot Fred Couples organisers released the draw for the opening two rounds of the $US 2.5m event with Gallacher in the middle of Woods and Rory McIlroy three ball.
The ‘Challenge’ began with a group photograph of all past 20 winners since the first event in 1989, and with Javier Ballesteros representing his late, great father Seve.
Woods had flown from Florida via London after posting his second worst-ever round as a professional, a seven over par 79, to miss the third round cut in the defence of his Farmers Insurance Open.
Minutes before teeing-off in Dubai Woods caddy realised they had 16 clubs in his bag, so it was left to Tournament Director, Adrian Flaherty to ‘nurse’ a spare Nike driver and 3-iron.
Once on the first tee, Gallacher walked over to Woods with out-stretched hand and with Woods responding: “Hi Stevie. Good to see you, bud.”
And while Woods spent much the 18 holes in banter with Couples, he was delighted to catch-up with his GB & I Walker Cup rival.
“It was fun day and I hadn’t played with Stephen in a long time, so it had been a while,” said Woods.
“We were reminiscing to way back when to the Walker Cup at Royal Portcawl in ’95, and playing with Fred is always a blast as I have known him for so long. He’s almost been like a big brother to me over the years.”
However Gallacher, with young son Jack looking on, was just as delighted, and also looking forward to playing alongside McIlroy for a first time in his career.
“Playing with both Tiger and Fred was brilliant as we chatted away and I thoroughly enjoyed it,” said Gallacher.
“The course is in unbelievable condition and I’ve never seen greens as good as that for a Tuesday in my life, they are amazing.
“And to be playing the first two rounds with world No 1 and former world No 1, that’s pretty good. Those are the stages you want to be competing on.
“And I’ve not played with Rory before so today will help for Thursday.”
Woods had birdied three holes in succession from the second and then went to the lead with a birdie at seven but put a ball into the water at 18 for his 71.
“Tiger’s distance control is brilliant,” said the Scot. “He was pin high a lot and that’s the key. He hit some lovely shots.
“There was a real buzz going on at the first tee and that will definitely be tin he case on Thursday and Friday.
“When you are playing with the world No 1 you are bound to be a bit nervous but it was more due to looking forward to the experience.
“We spoke about Porthcawl and the Walker Cup, and Fred was saying the Senior Open is going there this year.
“Tiger also is still pally with a few of the guys from that team, as I am with some of the GB&I boys.”
