Third Dubai hole-in-one for Gallacher

Last updated: 25th November 2012

Something about playing in Dubai seems to agree with Stephen Gallacher, who netted his third ace in the desert country on Sunday.

The 38-year-old nephew of former European Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher had a barnstorming start to his final round at the DP World Tour Championship on Sunday, opening with three birdies before looking on as his five-iron from 221 yards flew straight into the cup on the fourth hole of the Greg Norman-designed Earth course.

"I don't remember ever having a start like that before although I had a birdie-birdie-par-eagle run at the Dubai Desert Classic when I had a hole-in-one there in February," Gallacher told Reuters.

"I also had a hole-in-one at that tournament five years ago. I saw the ball go all the way into the cup today," added the Scot after signing for a 66 that lifted him into the top 20.

Looking back on his season, Gallacher is able to take plenty of positives, though the only things missing was a victory.

"I'm delighted with my season, the only thing missing has been a win. Hopefully I can get one next year."

Gallacher put off an operation on a torn cartilage in his right knee in order to play in Dubai this week.

He'll undergo surgery on Friday and should be fit to return for the tour's three-event 'Middle East swing', which starts in Abu Dhabi on January 17.

"At the moment I can't even bend down to see the lines on my putts," he said.