Scotland’s top ranked Stephen Gallacher was headed back to his hotel bed after producing a lowest New Year starting round in 14 years on day one of the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in Doha.

Gallacher, who has been up before dawn for three days running, shot a four under par 68 that left the Scot trailing just three strokes behind England’s Ollie Fisher.

Already well placed is past double winning Doha champion Paul Lawrie who heads the field of eight Scots in shooting a five under par 67.

Gallacher’s score is his lowest start to a New Year since a 66 to commence his 2001 year in South Africa.

Stephen Gallacher on route to his lowest New Year starting score in 14 years. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)

As well, next week’s double Dubai Desert Classic winner continues to show his fondness for Middle East golf in posting his second straight 68 after ending last year’s event with a similar four-under par score.

And Gallacher got his Doha round off to a super start landing a 5-wood to 15-feet at the first and holing the birdie putt.

“There was a few butterflies in the stomach on the first tee but then was down to excitement and wanting to get the year started, and besides it was good to have a scorecard in the back pocket again,” he said.

“Also I’m not surprised to come out of the gates in my first round of a New Year and shoot a 68 because I had been playing alright right up to the end of last year.

“I’m just fatigued and struggling with tiredness more than anything else as I’ve had three early rises in a row, and I was really not feeling golf fit if I can put it that way.

“I have been working hard on the range and in the gym but still not up to speed walking the course, but then I am looking forward to changing my alarm clock for the morning.”

Gallacher capped his round with three birdies in succession from his eighth hole and end tied with playing partner and Gleneagles winning team-mate, Justin Rose.

And Rose was delighted to be reunited with his European Team colleague and including sharing lunch after their rounds.

“It’s fair to say before the Ryder Cup I didn’t know Steve all that well only just to say ‘Hi, Stephen’ and things like that but having played a few practice rounds with him at Gleneagles, and being in the team room with him, we’ve become good friends,”said Rose.

“That’s the great thing about the Ryder Cup is that it brings you closer to players who would not have been close to prior to a Ryder Cup.

“I was very impressed in the manner he won in Dubai at the start of last year and then how he continued to play well, so much so, he richly deserved a ‘captain’s pick’.

“He’s a quality player and he’s got to the level now where his ball-striking suggests he is a very, very good player that he is.

“Also Steve’s been around a long time and it’s great to see him playing great golf as he showed out there this morning.”