Ex-winning Ryder Cupper Stephen Gallacher delivered new European Team captain Henrik Stenson a ringing endorsement declaring: “Henrik is the best man for the job’ heading into next year’s Rome showdown.
After months of negative headlines and selection uncertanity Stenson was handed the Rome reins and, in the process, becoming the first Swede to captain a European Team
Gallacher, and a member of Paul McGinley’s winning 2014 team at Gleneagles, was asked what he thought of Stenson’s appointment after posting a one-under-par 71 on day one of the inaugural Steyn City Championship in South Africa.
He said: “Henrik was the right man for the job, to be honest. I think he’ll be a great European Captain. He’s got a brilliant personality. He gets on well with all the players.
Henrik Stenson and Stephen Gallacher teaming to win ahead of the 2015 Dubai Desert Classic
“He’s got a job on his hands right enough but I’m sure he’ll leave no stone unturned and do the best his can to try and regain the Ryder Cup”.
Fellow Scot Ewen Ferguson is looking to make it a hopeful third time lucky after his five-under-67 on the rain-sofened host Steyn City course.
Ferguson, 25, grabbed a fourth hole eagle and four birdies to again be in contention and just four off the lead in ideal scoring conditions on the course located just north of Joburg.
Steyn City was built by South African billionaire Douw Steyn, and is about four-times the size of Monaco. This week celebrates the seventh year since the city was officially unveiled while the Jack Nicklaus-designed host course was opened in late 2014.
South African James Hart Du Preez heads the co-sanctioned field after two eagles, six birdies but also two bogeys in his new championship course record of a nine-under 63.
Ferguson continues knocking loudly of a first DP World Tour victory door having headed the field with a roudn to play in last fortnights Magical Kenya Open, and a week ago the Glaswegian was the leading Scot, and five from the front, with a round to play at the MyGolfLife Open also in Joburg.
However, on each occasion Ferguson has let slip any glory finishing T8th and with a 76 in Kenya and then last week, posting a last day 77 to slump to 61st place.
Also posting a 65 was Ferguson’s good friend Fifer Connor Syme, and featuring a bogey-free effort of five bogeys.
Gallacher, and already outside the expected three-under cut mark, is looking to break his 2022 ‘duck’ this season, teeing-up in a fourth event of the New Year and the 660th tournament of his careere
He said: “The round was pretty average with the golf course there to be had given it’s soft. I played the course on Sunday and Monday, and it was a totally different course, being firm and fast.
“It’s just a shame the weather has not been kind to us the last two weeks hence the low scoring, and we’re seeing eight and seven under’s. So, and protection for the course went with the rain.
“Though as least you know you can go low and I’ve still got three days, so hopefully I can go low.
“Also, given it’s only been opened seven years it’s a great golf course it tests you mentally and physically, as it’s a long walk but it’s a great golf course and I hope we can come back here”.
Peebles Craig Howie was very last out and birdied three of his closing four holes in a 69 with Grant Forrest and David Law at level par.
David Drysdale’s South African campaign ended on a disappointing note with a hip injury forcing him out after five holes, and at four-over at the time.
Richie Ramsay is now back home after ruling himself out on the eve of the event.
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