February 1, 2014: The defending Champion Stephen Gallacher shot a brilliant nine-under 63 to regain his command ahead of final round at Omega Dubai Desert Classic. It would turn into a record for Scotsman to manage a win here, as no one has ever successfully defended the Omega Dubai Desert Classic title.
The two-round leader, World no.6 Rory McIlroy posted three-under 69 to remain two shot behind the leader.
The 39-year-old Lothian star, Gallacher’s round is Joint lowest nine holes to par of all time on European Tour. The two-time champion on the European Tour, he won Omega Dubai Desert Classic 2013 by three shot against Richard Sterne of South Africa.
Gallacher was not in contention till his first eight holes of his third round at Emirates Golf Club in one over par to lie seven shots off the lead.
Scot looked agressive on next ten holes in ten under, following a birdie on the ninth with seven more and an eagle in a brilliant back nine of 28.
” It was quite a struggle to start with, especially the first three holes, ” Gallacher said.
“I hit it stiff on nine and from then on just kept hitting it close, and if I hit it to 30 feet I holed it. I was just trying to make as many birdies as I could and get a lead because I found the last time it’s easier when you are leading than chasing.
“There’s a lot of golf left to go but I will certainly be giving it my best shot.”
Gallacher’s total of 16 under par gave him a two shot lead over former World Number One Rory McIlroy.
Rory said he expected to win the title for the second time after taking the lead into the third round, but McIlroy was not his original self which saw him card an opening 63 on Thursday.
He did eagle the par five third for the second time this week, but also bogeyed the first and sixth.
Playing partner Brooks Koepka had been outshining McIlroy until bogeys on the 14th and 15th dropped him back to 12 under.
India’s Shiv Kapur(72-70-70) carded another two-under 70 to enter Sunday’s round with a total score of 212. Kapur lies at 47.
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- Pros
- omega dubai desert classic
- rory mcilroy
- stephen gallacher
