Stephen Gallacher has shaken off a hand injury as he seeks to join a growing recent group of ‘Golden Oldie’ golfers to win on the European Tour at this week’s Made in HimmerLand.
Gallacher, 46, muscled his way to a hopeful fifth Tour win with six birdies in his opening nine holes ahead of a level par inward half in a round of seven-under par 64 and move to also move to seven-under on the Danish course near Falso.
Austrian and defending champ, Bernd Wiesberger broke clear of a first round five-way share of the lead in posting a second day 65 to jump to 11-under and two clear of fellow Austria Mathias Schwab (66).
Gallacher is competing in a second event following a two-month injury lay-off after breaking a bone in his hand after a tumble from his mountain bike.
Stephen Gallacher all smiles after shooting a round of 64 on day two of the Made in HimmerLand
He said: “My hand’s okay now. I had six weeks off when I never did anything, so that’s what you get for trying to keep fit, I suppose.
“I had the hand in a splint when I did nothing and then after six weeks the bone healed and I’m nowt back into my golf”.
And now the Scot is back to near his best, Gallacher says he’s been inspired by the efforts of good friend Richard Bland winning the recent British Masters along with Phil Mickelson becoming the oldest to win a major in capturing the PGA Championship.
Gallacher said: “Age is only a number. If you keep yourself fit and can still hit the ball a decent distance, you can still compete.
“Obviously, it’s a younger man’s game just now, but it was great watching Blandy win – I was chuffed to bits for him as I’ve known from my amateur days and he did it in style.
“I’ve felt like a boy seeing him win and then there was Padraig (Harrington) playing the PGA Championship final round with Shane (Lowry) and egging each other one to each finishing fourth.
“And for Phil (Mickelson) to win, to be honest he’s such a legend of the game, just the way he plays, and he looked so focused. It was a great story for golf, as the oldest major winner.
“It just gives everybody a boost and if you can keep at it and have the hunger and desire to do it”.
If Gallacher does capture a sixth Tour win he will be aged 46 years and six months and in his 587th Tour event.
Calum Hill is next best Scot signing for 67 to move to four-under par and a shot fewer than Robert MacIntyre, who again played second fiddle to playing partner Wiesberger, in posting scores of 69 and 70.
MacIntyre had let slip a then first Tour win at the Danish event two years ago in losing out to Wiesberger who two months later won the Scottish Open.
And there were two aces on day two with Swede Alexander Bjork and Dane John Axelsen each holing out at the par-3 17th.
