Gallacher ends long wait for second win

Eight-year drought over as Scot seals victory in Dubai Desert Classic

Desert storm: Stephen Gallacher poses with the Dubai Desert Classic trophy after his thrilling win 

It took eight years and 111 days, spanning some 210 events, but Stephen Gallacher finally won his second European Tour title at the Dubai Desert Classic.

The Scot held off a valiant fightback from South Africa’s Richard Sterne to close out a three-shot win in the Gulf and the prestigious title to the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship victory he racked up in 2004.

Having started the day with a three-shot cushion, Bathgate man Gallacher saw his lead wiped out within just two holes of the final round as Sterne, a five-time European Tour winner, signaled his intent.

The contest then took on something akin to matchplay proportions as the duo leapfrogged each other repeatedly until a sloppy bogey from Sterne at 15 handed the initiative back to Gallacher, who then holed a 110-yard wedge shot for eagle on the 16th to take a commanding three-shot lead into the final two holes.

That was the Scot’s fifth eagle of the week and, ultimately, proved crucial in landing him his second tour title in close to 18 years as a professional.

Asked why it has taken him so long to add to his Alfred Dunhill Links win, the 38-year-old said: “It’s not for lack of trying. I wish I could put my finger on it. I’ve had a lot of seconds and a lot of top tens but you need a break to win, and I was saying coming up here today that it was the first time I’ve ever been leading going into the last round.

“All of the times I’ve finished second, I’ve come from behind, so I was hoping that would be the clincher and it was.”

The victory should be a launchpad for bigger and better things for Gallacher in 2013. It also puts him bang in contention to make his debut in the Masters in April. That is something he is determined to do.

“The Masters is the only major I haven’t played and I have always watched it on TV,” he said. “But this win certainly changes my schedule and I am very happy about that.”

Looking further ahead, Gallacher says he is also very much targeting a Ryder Cup spot in 2014.

“My goal this year was to try to get in the top 50 when the Ryder Cup points start , because I don’t think you’ve got a chance of getting in the Ryder Cup team if you’re not in the top 50,” he said. “With the next one being in Scotland, that would be the ultimate for me.”

Gallacher’s win was also the second Scottish triumph on the 2013 European Tour International Schedule, following Scott Jamieson’s victory in the Nelson Mandela Championship at the beginning of December. This, added Gallacher, is a sign that Scottish golf has never been in better health than it is right now.

He said: “You’ve seen Richie Ramsay win, Scott Jamieson win, and now myself. There are a lot of good players coming up.

“Scotland was going through a bit of a slump eight years ago but when you have Sam Torrance and Sandy Lyle at the top of your tree for a long time, it’s a pretty hard act to follow. Paul has sort of taken the mantle up and hopefully the next generation coming up are going to be winners for a long time.”

Marc Warren, another former Scottish winner on the tour, also had a good week, finishing in a tie for 17th, with the aforementioned Jamieson in 26th spot and continuing to lead the way at the top of the Race To Dubai.

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