Stephen Gallacher ended his nine-year wait for a second European Tour title in stunning fashion with victory at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic.
The Scot holed his approach to the par four 16th for his fifth eagle of the week to finally shake off the obdurate challenge of Richard Sterne.
A one under par 71 gave Gallacher a 22 under par winning total and three shot victory margin; but that barely told the story of a remarkable final round.
Three clear overnight, Sterne wiped out the former European Amateur Champion’s advantage within two holes, before the pair leapfrogged each other repeatedly until Gallacher holed a 110-yard wedge to the 16th.
“I’m obviously delighted,” said the 38-year-old, whose only previous European Tour title in 404 starts came back in 2004 at St Andrews. “It’s taken a long time but it’s sweeter now. I’m maturing with age hopefully!
Courtesy of the European Tour / Image: Credit: Getty Images