Stephen Gallacher lasted only two days of the last four on tour at Celtic Manor, but the Scot headed north satisfied he was ready for the more important business at Gleneagles and the Ryder Cup.
Gallacher’s one-under 70 on the second day of the ISPS Handa Wales Open wasn’t enough to get him in for the weekend and left him 15 shots back of leader Shane Lowry but it was enough to give him encouragement after Thursday’s 78, an uncharacteristically poor return for this season after three weeks off.
The 39-year-old expects to rest at home in Linlithgow instead and go up to Gleneagles on Monday, the last day before the crowds get in when players have a free hand on the premises.
“That was much better, I could have shot five or six under today, but I just struggled to read the greens down here for some reason,” he said.
“It was important to have a decent score for myself as much as anything.
“I just went back to my routines, back to normal. It’s difficult when you’ve just qualified for the Ryder Cup and that’s all that matters, all the emphasis on you.
“But I’m physically good and mentally good and really looking forward to next week now.”
Gallacher will play with Thomas Bjorn, who partnered him over the first two days here at Celtic Manor, in a practice round on Monday, but not too much needs to be written into that.
“No, he just asked me right now,” said Gallacher, when questioned whether it might be a possible foursomes and fourball pairing. “He’s playing with Jose Maria Olazabal and I just think he wants a game.
“I think I’ll feel the positives the moment I step on the Gleneagles turf. You don’t need to get up for that.
“That’s what I’ve really been looking forward to, that was my goal. I’ve done my preparation for it already, I just want to get up there and get involved.”
The man many think will be the next Scot to don European colours can’t wait to see his friend play at Gleneagles.
Marc Warren shot a fine four-under 67 to lie four behind Lowry and admits that Gallacher’s success has whetted his own appetite to play for Europe.
“I’m absolutely delighted to see one of my friends do really well, and I’ll be there next week,” he said.
“It is great to have a Scottish player involved. It’s going to be an incredible atmosphere and I think Stevie is going to get just the wildest reception on the first tee.”
For himself, the consistent form after winning the Made in Denmark tournament last month has continued.
“This is my fourth tournament in a row and even though I feel I haven’t played that well, I’ve been there at the weekend,” he pointed out.
“I’m just finding that bit of consistency. I think everything I’m doing is going in the right direction.
“I’m moving up world rankings, the Race to Dubai, all that sort of stuff.
“If it keeps going that way then the Ryder Cup is a realistic goal.”
Lowry, runner-up in the BMW PGA Championship this year, shot a brilliant 65 to leap into the lead at nine-under, one ahead of first round leader Joost Luiten and Nicolas Colsaerts, who eagled the par five last hole for the second day in a row.