Stephen Gallacher’s defended criticism by Ryder Cup great Tony Jacklin declaring he’s got the bottle to compete later this year at Gleneagles.
In a bizarre outburst the near 70-year old Jacklin, a seven-time Ryder Cup player and four-time European Team captain, believes the Scot doesn’t have the mental toughness to play a Ryder Cup.
Jacklin said: “I’m not try to be unkind but Stephen Gallacher looks a bit iffy sometimes, as he’s not sure.
“He’s a bit tender minded maybe.
Stephen Gallacher defends criticism he’s not up for the Ryder Cup. (Photo – Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ie)
“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.”
Gallacher’s currently lying 15th overall on the Ryder Cup points table and just six spots from automatically qualifying for Paul McGinley’s European side.
And after posting a four under par 68 on day three of the BMW PGA Championship Gallacher defended himself against Jacklin’s comments, and someone who he has met just once in his life.
He said: “That’s his opinion but when you are commentating, you have to fill the gaps.
“So he can say what he wants. It’s not going to bother me, put it that way. And if he’s saying that I am not ruthless enough, then I don’t agree.
“I’ve only met him once and that was about 12 years ago, so there you go.
“But if I qualify, and I hope to, then I have earned my spot and that’s why the process is there. If you don’t make it, you’ve not down well enough. It’s simple as that.
“And I know I’m up for the Ryder Cup.”
And Gallacher’s uncle Bernard found himself drawn into the controversy, and in some ways supporting the remarks of Jacklin who he played under in the 1983 European losing side at Palm Beach Gardens in Florida.
Gallacher said: “Tony is just trying to be helpful. He’s trying to say to Stephen to toughen up. He knows he has a lot of ability and obviously feels he should be going for it a bit more.
“He is highly respectful of Stephen’s game but he feels he should have a bit more confidence in himself that he can go right to the top. That is what Tony means.
“As everyone knows, Stephen is a very nice guy. He’s also very respectful and all Tony is saying is that ‘just get a harder edge and go for it’. He’s trying to be positive without knocking Stephen.”
