Stephen Gallacher ends nine-year title drought at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic
Stephen Gallacher of Scotland finally ended his nine-year winning drought on the European Tour, after he recorded a stunning victory at the 2013 Omega Dubai Desert Classic, on Sunday, February 3, 2012.
The Omega Dubai Desert Classic was being staged at the Emirates Golf Club, featuring some of the prominent names from different parts of the world.
Right from the beginning of the tournament, the Scot remained consistent and came out of the field with the second European Tour trophy of his career.
He started his campaign on a high note, after firing a scintillating nine-under par 63, in the opening round on Thursday. He then slowed down in the second round and carded just a two-under par 70.
Thereafter, he made a strong comeback by stunning his opponents in the field by posting a 10-under par 62 on the leaderboard. As a result, he surged back to the top of the leaderboard.
The final round witnessed him making a shaky start, as he conceded three bogeys against two birdies, to reach the turn in one over.
On the back nine of the course, he parred each of the first six holes that he played, prior to draining his fifth eagle putt of the tournament, on the 16th hole.
As a result, he managed to record a one-under par 71, which was enough to record a three-stroke victory over Richard Sterne.
Gallacher, whose last European Tour victory came in 2004 at St Andrews, expressed his pleasure in returning to winning form, after such a long time.
“I’m obviously delighted,” said the 38 year old. “It’s taken a long time but it’s sweeter now. I’m maturing with age hopefully! I’ve holed four shots this week, but you’ve got to do that these days to win – you need that little bit of magic”.
Gallacher now plans to make it into the top-50, which will earn him a place in the Masters Tournament, the first major golf championship of the season.
“It’s the only Major I’ve never played,” he said. “I sit and watch it in the house with the kids every year and obviously it would be a dream to play there. My plan at the start of the year is to try and get into the top 50 to try and make The Ryder Cup
[at Gleneagles in 2014]”.
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