Gallacher wins Dubai Desert Classic

Wednesday, 6 February 2013 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

DUBAI (Reuters): Briton Stephen Gallacher ended his nine-year wait for a second European Tour title in stunning fashion with a three-shot victory at the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday.

Gallacher holed his approach to the par-four 16th in the final round for his fifth eagle of the week to shake off the persistent challenge of South African Richard Sterne.

“I’m obviously delighted,” said Gallacher after carding one-under-par 71 in the final round.

Stephen Gallacher of Scotland poses with the trophy at the 18th green after the fourth and final round of the Dubai Desert Classic at the Emirates Golf Club 3 February 2013. Gallacher won the Dubai Desert Classic on Sunday with a final-round 71 for a total of 266 in the European Tour golf event – Reuters

“It’s taken a long time but it’s sweeter now,” added the Scot, whose only previous European Tour title in 404 starts came in 2004 at St Andrews.

Chile’s Felipe Aguilar and Dane Thorbjorn Olesen tied for third place and England’s Lee Westwood was joint fourth with Australian Marcus Fraser after hitting his second shot into the water on the par-five final hole.

Gallacher, 38, had gone into the closing round three shots ahead but Sterne wiped out his advantage within two holes.

The pair swapped the lead until Gallacher holed a 110-yard wedge to the 16th and finished off with a total of 266, 22 under par.

“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,” he said.

Gallacher, nephew of former Ryder Cup captain Bernard, looks set to climb into the top 60 of the world rankings ahead of the WGC-Accenture Match Play championship in Arizona in a fortnight and has a good chance of getting into the top 50 in time for a Masters Tournament debut at Augusta National in April.

“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.”