Stephen Gallacher will use this coming fortnight off to rework his schedule after his stunning Omega Dubai Desert Classic victory.
South African rival, Richard Sterne labeled the Scot a ‘jammy bastard’ after Gallacher holed a 115-yard wedge shot from the rough at the 16th to set up only his second Tour success.
Gallacher was due to travel to South Africa and reside at Sterne’s stunning Pretoria villa during this week’s Joburg Open.
And Sterne had been teasing Gallacher throughout the last round remarking every time Gallacher made birdie or saved par: “That will cost you another $1000”.
But now that Gallacher’s moved to TBC in the world he’s qualified for next fortnight’s $US 8.75m WGC – Accenture Match-Play Championship in Arizona.
If Richard Sterne believes Stephen Gallacher is a ‘jammy bastard’ than your author is a ‘lucky bastard’ out on the Emirates Course the day after the Scot’s stunning success.
It will be only Gallacher’s second start in a WGC event since the inauguration of the events in 1999.
And ahead for the Scot is moving inside the top-50 by early next month and earn a first time Masters invitation.
Gallacher celebrated his victory long into the night at the Emirates Golf Club surrounded by fellow players, caddies and a huge gathering of ex-pats keen to shake the Scot’s hand and have their picture taken with the 24th Dubai Desert Classic champion.
Bathgate’s favourite golfing son arrived home at noon yesterday (MON) and after a few hours rest his first task was to pick up 11-year old son, Jack.
Jack was just three years old when his father defeated Graeme McDowell in to play-off on the Old Course capture his first Tour title, the 2004 Alfred Dunhill Links.
“Jack’s over the moon and just so happy. He loves his golf so much,” said Gallacher.
“The win now means I’m back into the PGA Championship so we’ll be probably taking him to Oak Hill later this year. He came over to Atlanta two years ago and just enjoyed it so much.
”But now that I’m into the Match-Play and other events like the Bridgestone Invitational and back into the PGA Championship I am going to have to have a schedule re-think.
“You want to be playing in the bigger events and if I am going to qualify for the Ryder Cup, and that’s the big gaol now, I need to be playing in these top-50 in the world qualifying tournaments.”
As Gallacher celebrated his victory he revealed the number of text messages on his mobile phone.
“I was scared to turn my phone as the text messages are coming in by the dozens and I’m amazed how many people had my mobile number,” he smiled.
Among those messages on Gallacher’s phone was one from fellow Scot Martin Laird, and now based in North Carolina.
While Gallacher sets his sights on the WGCs and also a first-ever Masters appearance, Laird finds himself struggling and outside the top-80 in the world.
And Gallacher singled out a decision late last year to undergo much-needed surgery on his right knee as pivotal in ending a more than eight-year winless drought.
“Having the operative was massive in winning. Twelve days after the Race to Dubai finished last year I went straight into hospital to have the knee operated on,” he stated.
“The surgeon told me that it was a trapped ligament, it was causing a lot of pain through last year, couldn’t practice, couldn’t putt, couldn’t bend down, so I had to have it done.
“That’s why I was probably a wee bit rusty in my first events.
“So I went down to Dubai on 26th December with my family, and just played the Par 3 course at the Emirates Club, and played the main Majlis course, as well.
“It’s still not 100 %, but I’ve got 90% movement now, so much better to see what I’m doing.
“Unfortunately I still need to get into the gym as the muscles have shrunk a bit, so that’s still ongoing but it was massive getting it done.”
And now that Gallacher is on the verge of breaking into the top-50 for a first time his 17-year pro career he’s not about to go rushing to join the PGA Tour.
“No, the PGA Tour’s not for me. I’m just happy competing in Europe.”
MEANTIME –
Thanks so much to Adrian Flaherty and Viren Varen I was fortunate enough yesterday (MON) to play the Emirates Course and set-up the same as it had been when Gallacher captured his second Race to Dubai title.
Of course, the tees were forward but it was still the same Sunday pins.
And in coming to the 16th I went to the spot where Gallacher collected his fifth eagle of the week in holing a 115-yard sand wedge shot.
However I was nowhere in Gallacher’s league taking three to get down.
