Gallacher claims Hero Indian Open

Stephen Gallacher produced a thrilling final round comeback at the Hero Indian Open to win his first title in five years

Stephen Gallacher birdied three of his last four holes to claim his first European Tour title in five years DLF Golf and Country Club with a final-round 71. 

On a day of windy conditions, Gallagher recovered from an early quadruple bogey to come back from five shots behind to beat out Japan’s Masahiro Kawamura by one.

It was by no means an easy feat for the Scot, who began the day three shots behind and despite an opening birdie, two trips back to the seventh tee for a quadruple bogey saw him stand five adrift by the eighth. 

“I stood on the eighth tee and saw I was only five shots behind,” Gallacher said. “I told myself to stick to the game and you never know what can happen. Especially with how hard it was playing.

He recovered with birdies on the 9th, 10th and 12th holes to move closer to the leaders, but after a further dropped shot on the 14th Gallacher was left with work to do over the closing stretch. 

The former Ryder Cup player rose to the challenge, and after converting 12 foot putt for birdie on the 15th, mistakes from early leader Suri and another birdie on the 17th moved him ahead.

Gallacher consolodated his position with a sensational four iron into the green at the par five 18th for a final birdie, and with neither Kawamura and Campillo able to birdie or eagle the last, it was enough for victory. 

With his win, Gallacher has become the second player this season to win with an eight on the card over the week after Kurt Kitayama at the Oman Open.

“I am 45 this year so I am really proud of what I did out here today. It changes my schedule and I can play a bit less and it was great to win with my son Jack on the bag. It has been a great day.”