Golf: Gallacher's late call pays off in Sydney
Stephen Gallacher’s late decision to stay on for an extra week in Australia paid off today when he charged into a share of third place at the ANZ Championship in Sydney.
A second successive six under par 67 brought the nephew of former Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher four behind Australian Andre Stolz in the race for the first prize of nearly €194,000.
And with the event using a modified stableford format rather than the standard strokeplay Gallacher knows that, with two points for a birdie and five for an eagle, he has a great chance to achieve his maiden European tour victory.
Beaten by one by fellow Scot Andrew Coltart in the Great North Open at Slaley Hall last year, the 27-year-old said: ‘‘I’ve never been away for a month before and I was going to go home last Sunday.
‘‘But I was hitting it so well that I chatted things over with my caddie and decided to give it a go here.’’
Five birdies in the last eight holes brought him a third round haul of 13 points and took him alongside Swede Richard Johnson.
Stolz was eight clear after a front nine 32 which equalled the best of the day, but was gradually reeled in and a bogey on the long 17th meant he finished the day only two in front of compatriot Craig Parry, the pre-tournament favourite.
Parry had five birdies in six holes from the 12th, but bogeyed the last.
Gallacher, who began 2001 by becoming a father for the first time, was let down by his putting in the Heineken Classic at Royal Melbourne last week.
But on arrival in Sydney he went out and bought a collection of videos and books, including the ‘‘Putting Bible’’ by American short-game expert Dave Pelz, whose clients include Colin Montgomerie.
England’s Jonathan Lomas, the first day leader, hauled his way back up from 10th to second, but then bogeyed the 11th and 14th to drop back to ninth with a round to play. Fellow Midlander David Lynn is alongside him.
Stolz’s parents were nurses in Switzerland who honeymooned in Australia and liked it so much they emigrated a year later.
The 29-year-old has dual citizenship, but has never tried for a European tour card and says he would not move there full-time even if he won tomorrow and earned a two-year exemption.
His wife Cathy is also a professional golfer. She caddied for him when he captured the ANZ Tour Championship two years ago and he is doing the job for her at next week’s Australian Ladies Players’ Championship.
Stolz knows The Lakes course well, spending the last two years of his apprenticeship at the club.
