Gallacher & Drysdale Wind Back The ‘Career Clock’ In Abu Dhabi

Seasoned Scots Stephen Gallacher and David Drysdale turned back the ‘career clock’ on the opening day in heatwave conditions at the inaugural Abu Dhabi Challenge.

Gallacher, 48, bounced back from 15th hole double-bogey to birdie two of closing four holes in a three-under 69 to hand Gallacher a share of 12th behind England’s Tom Lewis who signed for a 64 to lead by a shot in the Challenge Tour event on the famed National course in the UAE capital.

This week is Gallacher’s first full secondary event in 25-ears ago, since securing a first pro career victory as a then 23-year-old in the 1998 KB Golf Challenge in Pragueof last year, is teeing-up under the Tour’s Category 10, and for those ranked 156th to 183rd on last year’s money list, and Gallacher ending last year a lowly 173rd on the Race to Dubai.

Gallacher capped his round holing this monster putt for par at the par-5 eighth hole, he was playing as his 17th though if you listen to the video there was no applause, and just the sounds of chirping birds.

Drysdale, 47, and now competing on the Asian Tour after also losing full DP World Tour membership in ending 158th on the 2022 money list, was three under playing the last and with the heat taking its toll with a closing bogey in his score of 70.

He said: “It was an alright round and just a couple of poor shots towards the end.

“I arrived here having played amazing in three of my four last events over the last six weeks on the Asian Tour, so the game feels good.

“I just felt tired out there over the last few holes due to the heat and, all in all, it’s accepted, so I just need to drink more fluids.

‘Double D’ happy with his first day’s 70 at the inaugural Abu Dhabi Challenge.

“It’s a great field they’ve got for these two weeks and many of us, like myself, it’s not where you want to be, so all we can do is just make the most of it”.

The last time Drysdale played a ‘full’ Challenge Tour event was back in 2008, mixing nine events among 24 main Tour events, and regaining his card, and that he retained till the end of last year.

In contrast, fellow Scot Michael Stewart needs to make the most of his limited Challenge Tour chances after earning his place by finishing top-5 on last year’s PGA Euro Pro Tour, and the 33-year-old  also signed for a 70 that included four birdies.

He said: “The first three holes were a bit of a struggle but for the most part, my game was really solid.

“It was unfortunate to bogey the last, but that ninth hole is easily the hardest hole on the golf course”.



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