Gutsy Gallacher grabs Dubai double

Scot becomes first player to successfully defend golf title.

DUBAI: Stephen Gallacher birdied two of the last three holes on Sunday to become the first player to successfully defend the Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club’s Majlis Course.

The title defence was something that other former winners such as Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Seve Ballesteros were unable to accomplish and it revived Gallacher’s hopes of playing in the Ryder Cup in Scotland in September.



The new world rankings out on Monday should see him enter the top 40 which would open the doors for his first participation at the Masters in early April.

“It took everything I had after the poor front nine, but I just tried to build on my game and stay patient,” said Gallacher.

“I was quite fortunate and I just tried to hit every shot at a time. I wish I could play this course every week.”

Tournament favourite Rory McIlroy endured a torrid final day and could only manage a 74 and a tie for ninth.

Meanwhile, Tiger Woods finished with a flourish but it was a case of too little, too late from the world number one as he close with a 71 and a six-under total that left him languishing well down the field.

“Unfortunately, I turned it around too late,” said Woods, who won the Desert Classic twice previously in 2006 and 2008.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 3^rd,  2014.

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