Can Gallacher make it three in a row?
Stephen Gallacher has a rare chance to pick up a hat-trick of wins as he defends his Omega Dubai Desert Classic title for the second time.
The Scot became the first ever player to successfully defend the Dubai title in 2014, and this week he has the opportunity to become only the sixth man in history to win the same European Tour event three times in a row, with Paddy Power handing him odds of 22/1 to pull off the rare feat.
The only other men to have managed it are Sir Nick Faldo, Ian Woosnam, Colin Montgomerie, Tiger Woods and Ernie Els, so Gallacher would certainly be in good company if he managed to pull it off.
Rather than put any undue pressure on himself, however, the Ryder Cup star is choosing to focus only on the task at hand.
“I’m going to approach it the same as last year, not try to put too much pressure on myself and just go ahead and enjoy it,” Gallacher told the European Tour website.
“Hopefully come Sunday, I’m in position to give it a good go.
“My plan is to try and not put myself under any pressure. I mean, I’d love to make it three in a row, don’t get me wrong. To win last year on the 25th anniversary was special, with the field and with the history behind it.
“I took a lot of confidence from that and it set up the best year of my career in many ways. I’m hoping to just keep building on it. It’s a course I play well, so I’m hoping to just not think too much about it and just get on and play golf really.
“You get certain places where everything seems to click for you, and I certainly feel good coming here and I really enjoy playing the course and I love coming to Dubai.”
Gallacher admits that he’s not in for an easy task this week, particularly as he will be teeing it up alongside the likes of Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer and Henrik Stenson.
“It is hard to do,” he added. “I’ve got a chance to do it and I’ve got expectations of what I want this week, but I’m not going to put myself under any more pressure.
“If it happens, brilliant. If it doesn’t, as long as I give my best shot at start of the week and 100 per cent at everything, that’s all I can do.”
Do you think Gallacher can pull off the hat-trick, or do you have another favourite in the field? You can bet with Paddy Power if you’re feeling lucky.
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