Gallacher hoping for revival

Stephen Gallacher is targeting a third win at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in a bid to get his career back on track.

The Scot, who was a part of Europe’s winning Ryder Cup team at Gleneagles in 2012, won the event at the Emirates Golf Club in 2013 and successfully defended his title a year later.

A third success was not achieved in 2015 but the Dechmont-born star did manage to finish in third place and maintain his impressive form on the Majlis Course.

However, it was one of few positive outings for the 41-year-old and several missed cuts on the European Tour have seen him slip down the world rankings to 162nd.

The chances of Gallacher making Darren Clarke’s Ryder Cup team later this year are slim at the moment, but the 2004 Dunhill Links Championship winner is hoping a good showing in the Desert Classic can get him out of a poor run of form.

“I’ve been here before. Everyone has been here before,” he said. “Two years ago Rory wasn’t playing as well as he can. You just need a spark to boost the confidence then you are flying again.

“I’d like to think that simply coming back here can give me a boost. I’m having an indifferent time, I know that. But it is one of those courses where I feel I can get something going.”

Defending champion Rory McIlroy is in the field as he aims to get some form ahead of the Masters in April, while fellow Ryder Cup hopefuls Henrik Stenson, Martin Kaymer, Matthew Fitzpatrick and Andy Sullivan are also confirmed for the event.