fbpx
dp world tour

BLOG: Why Stephen Gallacher deserved his Ryder Cup pick

Overlooking Gallacher after a fine run of form would have sent out a terrible message, writes James Savage
 

Stephen Gallacher has had a fantastic year and has been rewarded with one of Paul McGinley’s picks for the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles.

The 39-year-old Scot ended 2013 in 66th place in the Official World Golf Ranking and has risen to 33rd thanks to a string of solid results since the turn of the year.

An eighth place at the Abu Dhabi HSBC in January was soon followed by a successful defence of his Dubai Desert Classic crown.

Top 10s at the WGC-Cadilac, BMW PGA at Wentworth, Nordea Masters, Scottish Open, Czech Masters and Italian Open were still not quite enough to force that final automatic qualification spot.

In the end he missed out by one-shot thanks to David Howell’s final round 63 in Turin.

The ninth place went to Graeme McDowell, who despite not making too many headlines on the golf course, has actually had an even better 12 months than Gallacher.

In 19 events Gallacher earned €1.4m on European Tour (including co-sanctioned) events.

McDowell earned €1.2m in 10 events but also racked up a string of top 10s on the PGA Tour.

The 2010 US Open champion was ranked 14th at the end of 2013 and is now 16th.

This highlights what an extremely difficult task it was for Gallacher to force his way into the top nine – with McDowell being the only player he could overtake going into the final qualifying event.

And the fact Gallacher missed out by one-shot, shows what a decent effort it was. For this not to be rewarded by McGinley would have sent out a terrible message.
If both Donald and Westwood had forced Gallacher out it would have been down to reputation not form. Let’s not forget, had Kevin Stadler not messed up on the final green at the French Open which allowed McDowell to “steal” victory – Gallacher may not have needed a pick.

If both Donald and Westwood had forced Gallacher out it would have been down to reputation not form.

You could make a case for either, but difficult for both.

The English pair were ranked 17th and 25th respectively at the end of 2013. They are currently 30th and 38th.

A player who has risen 33 places should not be kept out by two (or three including Ian Poulter 16th to 36th) who have been moving in the opposite direction.

The qualification system has been changed over the years to try and allow the US-based players to qualify automatically. 

It’s not the system which let down those who didn’t make it – see McIlroy, Rose, Kaymer and Stenson – it was their performances on the golf course which weren’t good enough.

Tom Watson will name his three wildcard picks at midnight BST on Tuesday, September 2.

TEAM EUROPE

Rory McIlroy
Henrik Stenson
Victor Dubuisson
Jamie Donaldson
Justin Rose
Sergio Garcia
Martin Kaymer
Thomas Bjorn
Graeme McDowell
Ian Poulter
Lee Westwood
Stephen Gallacher

Latest Posts

dp world tour 2024 schedule

DP World Tour

DP World Tour 2024 schedule and results

Read full article - DP World Tour 2024 schedule and results
liv golf schedule 2024

LIV Golf

LIV Golf schedule 2024: Every date, venue and result

Read full article - LIV Golf schedule 2024: Every date, venue and result
players championship field 2024

News

Players Championship field: Who is playing at TPC Sawgrass?

Read full article - Players Championship field: Who is playing at TPC Sawgrass?
LIV Golf

LIV Golf

How far have the LIV golfers fallen in the world rankings?

Read full article - How far have the LIV golfers fallen in the world rankings?
pga championship field

News

World Golf Rankings 2024: Who’s in the top 10?

Read full article - World Golf Rankings 2024: Who’s in the top 10?
LIV Golf

LIV Golf

Show me the money! How much has each LIV player made since signing up?

Read full article - Show me the money! How much has each LIV player made since signing up?
rory mcilroy talor gooch

News

Rory McIlroy’s advice for Talor Gooch: Be more like Joaquin Niemann!

Read full article - Rory McIlroy’s advice for Talor Gooch: Be more like Joaquin Niemann!
viktor hovland prize money

News

Soulless, comical and sad: Viktor Hovland has a bleak outlook on golf

Read full article - Soulless, comical and sad: Viktor Hovland has a bleak outlook on golf
talor gooch

LIV Golf

‘It’s noteworthy’: Talor Gooch defends controversial Rory McIlroy asterisk claim

Read full article - ‘It’s noteworthy’: Talor Gooch defends controversial Rory McIlroy asterisk claim