Building on a year of progress

EuropeanTourprofessional StephenGallacherwithhis weeklycolumnfromthe worldofgolf’sfrontline

I’m disappointed I’m not teeing up in this week’s European Tour season finale in Dubai but I’m pleased with the way my 2017 campaign went.

My 2016 season was badly disrupted by injury and I was left playing off the all-time money list so I never had full playing rights.

Overall, I feel I made a lot of progress this year.

I was close to some very good finishes and I felt my game became stronger as the year went on.

I’m 76th in the Race to Dubai, which means I will have full rights next season, and I feel I have a strong platform from which to build.

I’m going to take a short break now and spend some time relaxing, cycling and walking the dog.

“Somegood finishesasmy gamebecame stronger”

I don’t intend to touch a golf club for the next fortnight and then I will start hitting the gym and evaluating the areas I need to work on with my coach.

Then I will start testing clubs and planning my 2018 schedule.

We were very close to a Scottish winner at the weekend, with near misses in both the men’s and women’s games.

Glasgow’s Scott Jamieson finished runner-up to Branden Grace at the Nedbank Golf Challenge in Sun City, South Africa, while Ellon golfer Michele Thomson was second at the Hero Women’s Indian Open.

Michele performed very well and I liked her Tweet saying she