Gallacher: I’ve dreamed about this

Stephen Gallacher admits he struggled to sleep while he was waiting for Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley to make his picks.
The Scot will play in his maiden Ryder Cup in-front of a home crowd at Gleneagles later this month. He joins wildcards Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood in McGinley’s team.
Gallacher revealed that he is extremely fortunate to be able to play at the iconic event in Scotland.
“I’ve dreamed about this all my life…it’s been 40 years since a Ryder Cup was in Scotland,” the 39-year-old told dailyrecord.co.uk.
“My generation probably won’t see it again back here. This was my only chance.”
Gallacher needed to win or finish runner up in at the Italian Open on the weekend to automatically book his place. Unfortunately, an opening round of 72 set him back. But he came out firing on Sunday, posting a seven under 65 to finish in third place.
While the final round wasn’t enough to qualify outright, it was just enough to impress captain McGinley.
“It was a nightmare…I hardly slept on Sunday night and I didn’t do much yesterday while I waited for the call,” he recollected.
“I didn’t know what to do, I still don’t! I’m in a daze. Paul said to me in Italy, ‘I’ll phone you regardless to tell you whether you’re in or out, but it’ll be a long day for you’. He was right but I was delighted when I got the call at 8.30pm.
“It’s been a tough couple of months. Everywhere I turned I was getting asked about the Ryder Cup and being put in the spotlight. When I was on the course that was the best part as I could get on with my game, just go for birdies and play the hole it front of you.
“Having come so close, if I hadn’t made it I’d have been distraught. I’m so happy that Paul fancies me for the team. It’s been hard getting to sleep because the whole process has been coming to an end. I’ll sleep now.”
Latest
-
News
European Tour preparing for business as planned in the Middle East
Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is due to start next week.
-
News
Two-time major champion Angel Cabrera arrested in Brazil
The former US Open and Masters winner was on the run from the law.
-
News
On this Day in 2013: Paul McGinley given Ryder Cup captaincy
McGinley would go on to be involved in a sixth Ryder Cup victory.
-
News
Collin Morikawa keen to draw inspiration from family ties to Hawaii at Sony Open
Venezuela’s Jhonattan Vegas has withdrawn from the event after testing positive for coronavirus.
-
News
R&A: ‘No plans’ for Open to head to Donald Trump-owned Turnberry in near future
Trump National in Bedminster was on Sunday stripped of next year’s US PGA Championship.
-
News
US PGA Championship moved from Donald Trump-owned course in New Jersey
Trump National in Bedminster had been set to host the event.
-
News
Justin Thomas : ‘I made a terrible, terrible judgement call’
Thomas admitted he was distracted by what happened on Saturday during his final round.
-
News
PGA Championship to be moved away from Donald Trump-owned course
It is the second time in six years the PGA has moved an event away from a course owned by Donald Trump.
-
News
‘It’s inexcusable’ – Justin Thomas apologises for homophobic slur in Hawaii
The world number three was heard using the derogatory word towards himself after missing a par putt.
-
News
Westwood, McDowell back petition to allow English golf courses to open
The duo have added their names to a petition that has passed 100 000 signatures.