Second time around Stephen Gallacher is a lot smarter, a lot wiser and a lot more experienced in finding a shorter way around Augusta National.

That’s the view of Gallacher’s long-time coach, Alan McCloskey on the eve of Gallacher’s second straight appearance in the Masters.

Gallacher will step onto the tee at 1.51pm (UK time) where there will be the simple introduction: “Fore please, Stephen Gallacher now driving.”

And after three days of solid practice McCloskey believes his the Bathgate pro come Sunday could be very well in contention.

“Stephen had a very good practice session on the range this morning (WED) and he’s hitting the ball and putting very well so we’re both very happy,” said McCloskey.

Stephen Gallacher’s long time coach Alan McCloskey stepped into the spotlight again at the inaugural Scottish Golf Tourism Awards Dinner in St Andrews where he was crowned PGA ‘Coach of the Year’ in Scotland.

“And there’s a big benefit for Stephen this year as it is his second Masters and the more you come here the more you learn and the more you appreciate the subtleties of the course.

“So we’re done a lot of practice the last few days out on the back nine and this morning we were out on the front nine and his game is in great shape.

“All in all We’re now just waiting for the gun to fire.

“And if I think Stephen can be in contention well he is like every other golfer here this week as they’re all good enough to be here this week and he’s good enough to get the job done.

“Maybe we won’t see some of the older guys and past champions in contention but as for the younger guys anyone of them has got a chance.”

And the best advice McCloskey, who also coaches Marc Warren and Scott Jamieson, could afford Gallacher is to go out there with a big smile on his face.

“The best thing I can say to Stevie is to go out there on that first tee with a big smile on your face as these are the best days of his golfing life,” he said.

“For me as a coach that is hugely important.

Stephen Gallacher this week teeing up in his second straight Masters. (Photo – Getty)

“And as for myself, I am just loving being back here. I was going to win the Masters 10 times and more often than Gary Player and I was nearly 100 years of age before I got here for the first time.

“But being here is just phenomenal and I am just having a ball. It’s just absolutely amazing.”

Gallacher wound-up his practice near noon local time Wednesday and with his young son, Jack ithcing to don the Augusta National white overalls and caddy for his father in the Par 3 Contest.

Gallacher had impressed early on debut last year posting an opening round 71 to be in 12th place while a second day level par 72 put him into a share of 10th.

Unfortunately, any chance Gallacher had of a top of the board finish ended with a third round 81 to plummet to a tie for 46th before restoring some pride to finish T34th with a final round 70.

“The first time you come here you are hit by the ‘wow factor’,” said Gallacher.

“Now being here for a second time around you know what to expect. I played half decent last year and now it’s a case of trying to build on that by finishing higher.

“I’ve got a reasonably early start time tomorrow so I’ll be there at the first tee to see Jack, Arnie and Gary teeing off. They are legends of the game and I wouldn’t miss that, especially as I had a late opening round time last year so couldn’t really come down. It’s part of the mystique and heritage of this event. I remember Sam Snead and Ben Hogan hitting the ceremonial shots in their mid-80s.

“But the big key for me is patience is the key here. You can’t push it. I don’t think it’s a problem to be playing here with a smile on your face – and not just on the first tee.”

And when asked the importance of getting off to a good start Gallacher recalled the effort the opening nine hole effort of Tiger Woods on debut as professional in 1997, and when Woods went onto to win a green jacket by a dozen shots.

“It’s not really that important to get off to a good start. Tiger, remember, shot 40 the front nine one year and still won,” said Gallacher.

“I’m not going to put myself under any pressure thinking that I need to get off to a good start.

“There certainly can’t be any greater pressure than standing up on the first tee in a Ryder Cup on home soil. If you don’t want to be faced with that sort of pressure then don’t try and qualify for it. It is what it is and you’ve just got to get on with it.

“It’s the same when you play in these tournaments. You get nervous but it’s more excitement than anything else. If you don’t get excited by being at a place like this then you are in the wrong game.”