Summary Gallacher needs to move up to the top nine to make sure of being in the team
DUBAI (AFP) - Stephen Gallacher is hoping that a successful defence of his Dubai Desert Classic crown this week could provide the platform for him to break into the European Ryder Cup team for the first time.
Paul McGinley s men will defend the trophy against the Americans at Gleneagles in eastern Scotland from September 26-28.
It will be the first time the biennial showdown has been held in Scotland since 1973 when it was staged at Muirfield, but currently no Scot is high enough up the Points List to automatically make the team
Gallacher, who was in 28th place going into Dubai, needs to move up to the top nine to make sure of being in the team. Otherwise he would have to rely on McGinley picking him as one of his three wildcards.
"Eight months away. Obviously I d love to get on it," said the 39-year-old from West Lothian, whose uncle Bernard starred both as a player and a captain of European Ryder Cup teams.
"Probably need to win four or five times, so you ve just got to try and shelve it and put it to the back of your mind.
"You can t think of it now. If I go about my day-to-day stuff and you re preparingg to win tournaments every week. If you can just knock a couple of them off, start playing in the majors and stuff, then you have got a real chance.
"That s a long-term goal of mine to get in the Ryder Cup."
Gallacher came into Dubai with a world ranking of 67, but if he can hold onto his third round lead in Dubai on Sunday, he will come close to edging into the top 50 which would get him into the year s first major, the Masters, at Augusta National in early April.
Paul Lawrie was the sole Scot in the last European team, playing a key role in his side s thrilling win by upsetting Brandt Snedeker on the final day singles.
