Gallacher remains on course for his Open goal

Stephen Gallacher remains on track for an eleventh hour Open place at the Aberdeen Asset Management Scottish Open and is ready to engage a higher gear at the weekend.

Five behind the three leaders on four-under, Gallacher feels in good shape after yesterday’s steady par round of 72 in the cool conditions of the morning.

“I was dressed for winter at the start,” he said. “I know I need a good couple of sub-70 rounds now, but you can put yourself out of contention on Thursday and Friday. “Confidence wise, I’m happy enough, playing well. A couple of things just didn’t go my way or I could have been two or three shots better off.

“You’ve just got to keep in the hunt and go low over the weekend.”

Duncan Stewart produced the best Scottish round of the day with a 70, putting himself again in with a shot of a big pay day to help his bid to retain his card in his debut season.

“First of all you have got to be there for the weekend so that is mission accomplished,” he said. “I’m also looking at trying to get into the top 10 and get into the Open next week.

“If I do that I’m not unpacking boxes because we’re moving house today and the family are doing it all for me.”

Richie Ramsay didn’t quite put it together as he had on Thursday or last week in Ireland but is well placed on two-under, despite a run of seven fives in nine holes at one point in his 74.

“It was not easy but I’m in for the weekend which is a positive, hopefully I can push on now,” he said.

“Fingers cross that is the bad round out of the way and two good ones yet to come.”