Gallacher’s Czech Efforts Sending Shivers To Those Competing In New Jersey.

Stephen Gallacher’s efforts in the far off Czech Republic is sending shivers to a number of Europeans competing in New Jersey.

The Scot has bounced back after missing the halfway cut in his past two events Stateside and should he win a second European Tour title this week he would leap-frog from 11th place overall on the Ryder Cup points table and into ninth spot.

If so, it would mean jumping the 10th placed Luke Donald and bumping the current ninth ranked Graeme McDowell probably back a spot.

Gallacher’s position has already been enhanced with Donald missing the Barclays Championship halfway cut after scores of 71 and 74 for a three over par total on the Ridgewood Country Club course in Paramus.

Also Ian Poulter, who is ranked 11th on the points table but certain to be given a ‘pick’, was also cut from the $US 8m following a pair of 72s and the same two-over par 36-hole total as Donald.

Stephen Gallacher (SCO) just two shots behind Jamie Donaldson (WAL) after Round Two of the D&D Real Czech Masters 2014 from the Albatross Golf Resort, Vysoky Ujezd, Prague. Picture:  David Lloyd / www.golffile.ie

Stephen Gallacher’s efforts in the Czech Masters is sending shivers to those fellow Europeans competing in this week’s Barclays  Championship.  Picture: David Lloyd / www.golffile.ie

Gallacher is acutely aware that unless he qualifies automatically for Paul McGinley’s team he will unlikely to be afforded a ‘wildcard’ pick given also there’s winning Ryder Cup talent in the 13th ranked Miguel Angel Jimenez, the 14th placed Francesco Molinari and with Lee Westwood expecting a picked despite being currently ranked 16th.

McDowell kept his ‘wildcard’ chances alive with a second round 68 for a four under par tally and just three behind the leading clubhouse trio of Jim Furyk (69), Brendon Todd (69) and Kevin Chappell (67) who head the field on seven under par.

McDowell said:  “I was having breakfast this morning and looking on TV and seeing what Jamie (Donaldson) and Stephen Gallacher are doing, and it was pretty hard not to ignore.

“I didn’t realise just how close Stephen was to me on the World Ranking Points table and what he’s doing over there in the Czech Republic now has my attention.

“There is nothing guaranteed when it comes to picks and if Stephen were to win there then all of a sudden there is going to be one pick less.

“So if Stevie gets himself inside the top-nine automatic spots then you don’t know what going to happen and that’s why making the cut here in New Jersey is big for me.

“You’ve got players right behind me like Donald, Poulter and Westwood needing picks also.”

While Gallacher also has next week’s Italian Open, and the final Ryder Cup qualifying event, for the likes of McDowell, Donald, Poulter and Westwood their campaign ends tomorrow night (Sunday) given that next week’s Deutsche Bank Championship in Boston ends on Monday September 1st and a day outside of the close of the Italian Open.

McDowell has competed in the past three Ryder Cups including the joy of holing the 2010 winning putt at Celtic Manor.

But never has the soon-to-be new father had to rely on a ‘wildcard’ pick.

He said:  “I knew this week it would be between Luke and myself as to who was going to finish ahead of who in this last World Points counting event.

“So with Luke missing the cut I will finish ahead of him but then Stephen Gallacher could now leap-frog over me if I don’t make enough World Ranking points.

“I’m not overly worried about it because if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen and while I would be disappointed it’s not something that worries me.

“I’ve played really solid the last couple of months, and I’m proud of the way I have played these last couple of months so if it doesn’t happen then it wasn’t meant to be.”

But then when it was put to McDowell he’s played in the last two winning Ryder Cups including being the hero on Colin Montgomerie’s 2010 team plus he’s also got the experience of having previously played Gleneagles, he accepted that should he drop outside the top-nine McGinley will more than likely reward him with a ‘wildcard’ pick.

He said:  “Between us, I am very, very quietly confident I will get a pick if I should not make the top-nine.

“But then I don’t want a pick.  I’ve never had to rely on a pick.  I just want to qualify automatically.”



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