Stephen Gallacher has a double celebration later this week - but he will be hoping to make it a triple when he bids to end the European Tour's Play-off Series with a career-best finish in the Race to Dubai.

One of only three Scots contesting the BMW Masters on the Lake Malaren course in Shanghai, he goes into it in 11th place on the money list on course for his highest finish in 18 years on the Tour, his best so far having been 15th in 2004.

The Bathgate pro, who celebrates his 15th wedding anniversary with his wife Helen tomorrow and turns 40 a day later, will contest all four Final Series events, with a prize pot of a whopping $30.5m and could finish 2014 well inside the top 10.

"I won early in the year and it would be nice to end my best season so far with another victory," he said. "It's been a big season for me but I want to end in having played consistent golf over the four events.

"After the pressure of fighting hard to qualify for the Ryder Cup, I still feel pretty fresh and there's plenty of gas still in the tank.

"These four weeks are massive events and they're all being played on good golf courses with great fields, and I also want to get myself into contention. I want to end my year well inside the top 10 on the Race to Dubai."

While Gallacher seeks to make his presence felt there is no escaping the presence of Rory McIlroy in Shanghai despite the world No.1 having surprised BMW Masters organisers by withdrawing just over a week ago from the event.

On arrival at Pudong Airport, a number of large backlit billboards promoting the event feature McIlroy and Henrik Stenson, who has also taken the week off to be at home with his wife after the birth of their third child, among seven golfers pictured swinging a club. Individual player banners adorn Shanghai highways featuring all leading players including McIlroy and Stenson.

Four-time major-winner McIlroy is taking a fortnight's sabbatical to prepare himself for his early New Year Dublin High Court showdown with Horizon Sports management.