Stephen Gallacher in Ryder Cup injury scare?
Thankfully, not quite.
"The thumb is just a bit fat and a bit black and blue but it's fine," reported the 39-year-old after a painful encounter with a Wentworth tree during the final round of the BMW PGA Championship. "I knew I'd have to sacrifice a club on that 17th; it can be a dangerous sport," he added with a smile. Thumbing through the wads of used tenners in his £149,633 prize will probably help the healing process.
Gallacher's rousing, closing round of 66 may have cost him a 4-iron - he buckled it as he took a swipe at his perilously positioned ball on the 17th - but that was the extent of the damage. His share of fifth place was the perfect way to start a run of significant events that will be crucial in the Ryder Cup qualifying process.
"This is the time of the season when I want to be playing well and this gives me a lot of points and a lot of confidence," said Gallacher, the three-time European Tour champion, who now travels to Sweden this week for the Nordea Masters before heading for the US Open.
Chris Doak found himself in the rarefied air of the upper reaches but there was a more concerning sense of dizziness to contend with ahead of his final round 71 which gave him a tie for 12th on 281 and career-best cheque for more than £61,000.
"I woke up feeling dizzy and went to the on-site doctor and he said it was labyrinthitis [an ear infection which affects balance]," said Doak, who showed great spirit to birdie his final two holes. "He gave me two jabs and I felt all right after that. This is my biggest cheque, but hopefully for just a short while."
Marc Warren tied for 16th on 282, while Paul Lawrie finished with a flourish and a 67 moved him to the fringes of the top-20 on 283.
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