Before the NFL Super Bowl XLVIII started on Sunday, we got to catch some golf from the Omega Dubai Desert Classic. Many of the world’s best players were in the field, including Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, who was at the top of the leaderboard for the entire tournament. McIlroy’s play was definitely one of the top stories of the tournament, but Stephen Gallacher of Scotland, defending champion from last year, shot a 28 on his back-9 during the third round to take the lead over McIlroy by 2-shots heading into the final round.
After fighting back from four bogeys over his opening eight holes, he was in a five-way tie for the lead after 11 holes. He would end up shooting a final round 72 to become the first player to successfully defend the Dubai Desert Classic, beating Emiliano Grillo of Argentina by 1 stroke. He won the 25 year old tournament with an overall 16-under par score for his third victory in 18 years and 341 events on the European Tour.
You can bet that this year is important for him as he makes his push to be on the European Ryder Cup team for 2014. The Ryder Cup will be held in Scotland at Gleneagles, a course Gallacher knows well and definitely a “return home” of sorts if he were to make the team. This victory puts Gallacher in the top 40 of the Official Golf World Rankings, gaining him entry into World Golf Championship events as well as being on course for a first appearance at the Masters in April! Congratulations, Stephen!
Source: European Tour
