Gallacher battles to Dubai double
Print Edition
Stephen Gallacher birdied two of the last three holes yesterday to become the first player to successfully defend the Dubai Desert Classic.
Starting the day two strokes clear of the field, the 39-year-old Scot was reeled in by the time he walked off the second green as he strayed off the tee.
But instead of going under after four bogeys in nine holes, he battled back and, on a day of high drama, emerged in front again on the back nine and held his nerve over the last three holes.
The target of 15 under was set by Argentine upstart Emiliano Grillo, who sunk a 40-footer for eagle at the par-5 last after his over-cooked second outrageously rebounded back onto the green off an hospitality tent.
Gallacher drew level with a birdie at 16 and then a sublime chip from the greenside rough for birdie at the next eased him back ahead.
He needed to par the last to win and he managed that by sinking an edgy three-footer after his third shot had spun back too far to the edge of the front of the green.
The title defense 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.
“It took everything I had after the poor front nine, but I just tried to build on yesterday (63) and stay patient,” he said.
Grillo was solo in second for the biggest prize of his fledging career so far with France’s Romain Wattel and Brooks Koepka of the United States a further stroke back on 14 under after a 66 and 70, respectively.
Tournament favorite Rory McIlroy endured a torrid final day and could only manage a 74 and a tie for ninth.
Woods finished with a flourish, birdieing his final three holes for a 71 to finish 41st.
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