Stephen Gallacher faces lay-off after op

• Stephen Gallacher faces four-week lay-off after operation
• A hand problem has bothered the Scot since the BMW PGA
• “It’s hindered my on course, practice range and gym,” he said

Stephen Gallacher faces a four-week lay-off from the European Tour after undergoing an operation on his left hand.

The Scot, who represented Europe at the 2014 Ryder Cup, will have his arm in a sling for ten days as the recovery process requires the hand to remain elevated, and won’t start putting and chipping again until the stitches come out.

In a statement released by bounce, Gallacher’s management company, the 40-year-old said: “The operation was performed on Monday by Doug Campbell, a top hand surgeon. He cut the tendon sheath away and there was a lot of inflammation. This has been bothering me since last May, when I was forced to pull out of the BMW PGA Championship before the first round.”

CONTINUES BELOW…

“I’ve had cortisone injections, the latest one in December, but it’s hindered me on the course, on the practice range and also in the gym. It’s been a blessing really that it flared up again and has led to an operation being required as it means I can get back out there not worrying about it.”

Since Wentworth, Gallacher’s struggles have been apparent. The Scot has had just one top ten in 21 events, that coming at the Nordea Masters, while he has failed to make it to the weekend in 12 of those, including the Scottish Open, Open Championship, US Open and US PGA Championship.

Gallacher has his eyes on returning at the Spanish Open at Valderrama from April 14-17, but doesn’t plan on rushing back too soon.

“I have been told that I need to watch how I practice, which means I won’t be able to hit off mats any more,” he added. “That means I will need to speak to my good friend, Robert Arkley, to see if he will get me a nice area of grass to hit balls from at Kingsfield Golf Centre.”

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Stephen Gallacher :: Can he find form?

When Gallacher returns from injury, can he regain the form that helped him be a captain’s pick for the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles? Leave your thoughts in the ‘Comments’ section below.