Gallacher coy on Ryder Cup chances

He might have given his prospects of playing in his first Ryder Cup, on home soil no less, a massive boost by becoming the first player to successfully defend the Dubai Desert Classic title, but Stephen Gallacher insists he still has a long way to go to guarantee his place in European captain Paul McGinley’s side.

The 39-year-old Scot recovered from a shaky start to retain his title by a single shot and improve his prospects of being part of the team for the match Gleneagles this September.

As well as a cheque for €303,268, which bumped him into the top ten of the Race To Dubai, the Lothians man also secured vital Ryder Cup points. Most crucially of all, he also climbed 30 places to 37th on the Official World Golf Rankings, meaning he will now enjoy all of the benefits of being a world top 50 player, chiefly entry into the WGC-Accenture Matchplay Championship, WGC-Cadillac Championship, and of the other big-money, high-ranking events.

All in all, his Dubai defence has given Gallacher the perfect springboard to try to muscle his way into the Ryder Cup side. However, he’s refusing to get too carried away just yet.

“That’s my long‑term goal,” he said. “The short term is to try to play well in all these big events to amass the points to give Paul a headache, hopefully. It’s seven months to go and a lot of golf to be played and a lot of good golf needed to get into it.”

Whilst remaining coy on his chances, Gallacher did admit that it would be a dream come true to make his Ryder Cup debut this year, particularly given his family’s strong connection with the event.

“I never do anything easy, I’m afraid” – Stephen Gallacher

“My uncle played in it eight times, captained it three and vice-captained it two, so it’s pretty much all I grew up watching,” he said.

“And then, when it’s 37 miles from the house, in my generation, it’s never going to be in Scotland again, so it’s always been a long‑term goal of mine to play in it.”

Gallacher’s title defence was ignited by a stunning third round where, after playing the first eight holes in one-over-par, he covered the remaining ten in ten-under, which contained eight birdies and an eagle.

That gave him a two-shot advantage over Rory McIlroy going into the final round. A front nine wobble saw him fall out of the lead but another superb back nine – which included birdies at the 11th, 13th, 16th, and 17th – proved to be enough to see him safely over the finish line.

“I never do anything easy, I’m afraid,” he reflected. “I just kept saying to myself, ‘stay patient’. I played the back nine well and no one was really running away with it at the time.

“To win it on the 25th anniversary if the event, with all the champions playing, makes it even more special.”

Gallacher: Ryder Cup ready?

Do you think Stephen Gallacher will make this year’s Ryder Cup team? Leave your thoughts in our ‘Comments’ section below.

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Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor

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