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• Stephen Gallacher in struggle to play 2016 Scottish Open
• “The hand problem has returned,” said the Scot
• Reveals the injury has forced him to change his swing

STEPHEN GALLACHER

Stephen Gallacher has been dealt a fresh injury blow that could force him to miss the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart in three weeks’ time.

The three-time European Tour winner spent time on the sidelines with a hand injury in the early part of 2016 which has flared up once more, definitely forcing him out of both the BMW International Masters and French Open, with the Scottish Open a serious doubt.

“I have been bothered by inflammation on a tendon on my left hand for more than a year,” said Stephen Gallacher in a statement through management company Bounce Sport. “I went under the knife in March and the operation was a success, but the problem has returned.

“I had no option but to pull out of playing in Austria last week and get the injury scanned. I went down to Leeds to see my surgeon Doug Campbell and the conclusion is I have no option but to change my swing.

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“I showed my surgeon footage of some of my swings and I was told if I keep doing that then the injury would keep flaring up. I would get to a stage of overusing the problem tendon and that could jeopardise my ability to play the game I love.

“If I keep swinging the way I am then I will always be requiring operations and cortisone injections and no one can go on like that. At first it felt like negative news – especially because I am going to miss some important events – but I am actually feeling pretty positive.”

While the Scottish Open is likely to come too soon for the 2014 Ryder Cup winner, a return at the Paul Lawrie Match Play on July 30 seems like a more reasonable return date.

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“It’s unlikely I will be ready to play in time but I would love to be in the field as it is such an important event for all of the Scottish golfers on the European Tour,” added Stephen Gallacher.

“I have a lot of hard work ahead of me, but I feel happy I am now on the road back to full fitness. It will be disappointing to sit out some big events over the coming weeks, especially if the Scottish Open comes too soon for me. Hopefully I will be back better than ever.”

Stephen Gallacher :: Can he come back better?

Do you think Stephen Gallacher can come back better than ever? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.

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