After 205 events, and over eight years, Stephen Gallacher finally became a winner on the European Tour again. A lot has happened since the 38-year-old from East Lothian, Scotland, felt this feeling, after defeating Graeme McDowell in a playoff, at the Dunhill Links Championship, in 2004. But, he is a winner again.
He has always possessed significant talent, in a career that has often promised so much, and yet failed to deliver. the Nephew of Bernard Gallacher, the former European Ryder Cup captain, Stephen has struggled to close out events when in contention. A fact rather strikingly evident, when you consider he has accumulated five runner-up spots in his career. But, in Dubai, after three rounds, he gave himself a significant opportunity to put that right.
Following rounds of 63, 70, and 62, Gallacher broke Tiger Woods' 54-hole scoring record in this event, and earned himself a three-shot lead entering Sunday. However, as is often always the case these days, it didn't go all of his own way.
Opening with two bogey's, he let Richard Sterne, the talented South African, back into contention. After 10 holes, it looked as if it may have turned out to be Sterne's afternoon. Three birdies, in his opening ten holes, were enough to see the 31-year-old, from Pretoria, briefly take control. However, he then produced a ragged back-nine, which allowed Gallacher to retake the momentum, courtesy, of a touch of magic. Standing in the rough on the Par 4 16th, from 115 yards, Gallacher holed his approach shot for eagle to reclaim his three-shot lead. An advtanage that he maintainted to the finish, as he lifted his second title on the European Tour.
A victory which takes Stephen up to 5th on the Race to Dubai, and on the fringes of qualifying for the Accenture World Matchplay. This second win has been a long time coming, but with it coming at the start of the season, at the age of 38, Stephen Gallacher can now progress to have a vintage season. Just as Colin Montgomerie did in 1996, Stephen Gallacher claims the Dubai Desert Classic title for Scotland.
Good things come to those who wait.