GALLACHER STORMS TO JOINT TOP IN THE DESERT

SCOTLAND’S Stephen Gallacher claimed a share of the halfway lead in the Oman Open yesterday as he seeks a third European Tour victory in the Middle East. Gallacher, who won back-toback Dubai Desert Classic titles in 2013 and 2014, carded a bogey-free 67 at Al Mouj Golf to join Denmark’s Rasmus Hojgaard at the top of the leaderboard on nine under par. Belgium’s Nicolas Colsaerts and Finland’s Kalle Samooja are a shot off the lead, with the English duo of Robert Rock and Richard McEvoy part of a five-strong group two strokes further back on six under. ‘It’s a good spot to be,’ said former Ryder Cup player Gallacher. ‘But there’s still a lot of golf to be played. My aim will be to do the same things I’ve been doing. ‘It’s supposed to get windy at the weekend, so I’ll go and relax now and try to save my energy for that.’ Although Gallacher claimed his first victory for five years in last season’s Indian Open, he missed 16 cuts in 22 events and started this year with two more before a closing 66 in the Saudi International gave him a tie for 21st. ‘I had been struggling a bit and changed some things,’ added the Scot. ‘I worked on things before going to Saudi, started to hit some good shots there and it’s amazing how things snowball. ‘You start to chip better, you start to putt better and you start to compete. ‘By Sunday, you just want to have a chance to win coming down the stretch.’ Colsaerts, who returned to the winner’s circle last year for the first time since 2012, matched Gallacher’s 67 with seven birdies and two bogeys. ‘I had what we called the “good eyes” today,’ said the Belgian. ‘There was not really any shot that frightened me. ‘Winning last year and knowing that you have an exemption just makes your life a lot easier. ‘You take weeks for what they are and you don’t really pay attention to where you should be or how scores are moving. You just tend to worry about your own game.’ Italy’s Lorenzo Gagli, who was reinstated to the field after testing negative for the coronavirus on Wednesday, is four shots off the lead after adding a 70 to his opening 69. Former world No 1 Martin Kaymer is three strokes further back following an eventful 69, which included a hole in one on the 13th, a double bogey on the 15th and three closing birdies.