Stephen Gallacher, 47, made his Tour debut in the then Bells sponsored Scottish Open at Gleneagles. The young Scot was still an amateur and received an invitation to tee-up on the Kings Course.
He celebrated his 500th Tour event also in the UAE as a then three-time Tour winner at the 2017 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship while Gallacher, with 20-year old son, Jack as his caddy, tees-up Thursday as the reigning Hero Indian Open winner given the 2020 event was cancelled due to COVID-19.
And while he is set to be honoured with a special memento in recognition of playing 600 European Tour events, Gallacher’s looking to join just one other person, and that is fellow Scot Sam Torrance, to play 700 tournaments though at around 25 years a season, which is Gallacher’s norm, it will take possibly into early 2026 to accomplish that feat.
Also, Gallacher would need only to play 707 main Tour events and he would become the all-time record holder for the most tournaments contested thus surpassing Torrance.
“I can still remember that first event – the 1993 Bells Scottish Open and I played as an amateur,” said Gallacher.
“Believe it or not but Tony Jacklin played in the same event and I was looking back on the website just recently and noticed also fellow Scot Brian Barnes, Peter Oostheruis and others.
“I remember it all being a bit intimidating but here we are 28-years later playing 600.
“I thought playing 500 European Tour events was a milestone and to now have played 600 is amazing. You think of playing 500 but then playing a further 100 seems pretty rare as there’s
“I’m proud to have played 600 European Tour events and there’s 12 others who have achieved the feat and hopefully I can have another four years out here and make it 700.”
And Gallacher spoke of his delight in having son Jack on the bag this week to share in the milestone achievement.
“It’s been great having Jack on the bag as there’s not many out here with their son acting as caddy”, said Gallacher. “That’s what it’s all about!”
Well done and congratulations, Stevie.
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