Stephen Gallacher has added incentive to make his Ryder Cup debut after European great Tony Jacklin slammed the Scot saying he hasn’t got what it takes to tee up at Gleneagles.
Jacklin is Europe’s greatest-ever Ryder Cup stars representing GB & I and later Europe on seven occasions before taking up the captaincy in 1983.
The Scunthorpe-born son of a truck driver then steered Europe to victory in 1985 and 1987 before the memorable tie two years later at the Belfry that ensured Europe retained the golden trophy.
Tony Jacklin says Stephen Gallacher hasn’t got what it takes to be a member of the European Ryder Cup team.
And while Gallacher is fighting hard to make his way into Paul McGinley’s side he’s been delivered a salvo by the near 70-year old Jacklin.
“I’m not try to be unkind but Stephen Gallacher looks a bit iffy sometimes, as he’s not sure,” said the double Major winning Jacklin.
“He’s a bit tender minded maybe.
“You’ve got to have that mental toughness to play in a Ryder Cup. You’ve got to be able to walk through walls and be as hard as nails.”
Jacklin was commenting on the Scot at this week’s BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth but in contrast to down-playing Gallacher’s chances was singing the praise of Sweden’s Jonas Blixt and also Dutchman Joost Luiten.
McGinley met Blixt, who is well in contention at Wentworth, last August at the PGA Championship at Oak Hill and came away from their 10-minute meeting remarking: “Jonas displays the spunk needed in a Ryder Cup team.”
Jacklin is a former two-time winner of the event and has been brought back to Tour HQ as part of the 60th anniversary celebrations of the event while he’s also commentating for SKY Sports.
