Stephen Gallacher wins tour award

Stephen Gallacher’s year just keeps getting better.

The Scot has been named the European Tour ‘Golfer of the Month’ for January after a stunning month in which he became the first player to successfully defend the Dubai Desert Classic.

The 39-year-old was also the biggest money-earner during the tour’s ‘Desert Swing’ trio of events, which, as well as Dubai, also included the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship and the Qatar Masters.

Gallacher was picked for the award ahead of Louis Oosthuizen, Pablo Larrabazabal and Sergio Garcia, all of whom also won in the opening few weeks of the year.

“I am really pleased to be named the European Tour ‘Golfer of the Month’ for January especially given some great performances by players both in South Africa and the Desert Swing events,” said Gallacher.

“To be picked ahead of the likes of Louis, Pablo and Sergio, who were all winners last month, means a lot to me and I am very grateful to be recognised in this way. The Dubai Desert Classic is obviously a special event for me and to be given this award makes it an even more memorable month.”

“Stephen Gallacher is an excellent ambassador for the European Tour” – Renton Laidlaw

Veteran broadcaster Renton Laidlaw, who sits on the panel responsible for choosing the ‘Golfer of the Month’, remarked: “Louis Oosthuizen’s performance was remarkable, Pablo Larrazábal won with Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson breathing down his neck, and Sergio Garcia produced a sparking finish

“But Stephen Gallacher became the first player in 25 years to defend the Dubai Desert Classic and he did it with two back nine’s to die for in the third and fourth round against arguably the strongest field of the month.

“Stephen Gallacher is an excellent ambassador for the European Tour, he dug deep on the final day, and he fully deserves to be the European Tour Golfer of the Month for January.”

Stephen Gallacher: The Darling of Dubai

As well as winning the Dubai Desert Classic both this year and last, Stephen Gallacher also finished tied second there in 2012 and is now 55-under-par for his last 12 rounds on the Emirates Course.

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