Gallacher Takes Over Top Spot in Dubai


Scotland's Stephen Gallacher fired a 10-under 62 to sweep to the lead in the European Tour's Dubai Desert Classic. Gallacher stands at 21-under 195 at Emirates Golf Club heading into Sunday's final round.

Gallacher was red-hot on Saturday, posting four birdies on the front nine and two more on the back, where he also added eagles on both par-5s at the 13th and 18th holes.

The 38-year-old leads his good friend Richard Sterne of South Africa by three strokes. Sterne, who shot a 66, held the top spot through the first 36 holes; he and Gallacher will be paired in the final round.

Gallacher says he's excited about the upcoming challenge. "I'm excited and looking forward to tomorrow," Gallacher said. "I'm pretty familiar with his course - I come out here on holiday with the family.

"I struggled last week [at the Qatar Masters] and my driver cracked, but with the new one I'm hitting more fairways and I've putted really good." Of the player closest to him at 18-under 198, he added, "I've known him for ages."

"You know, shooting 66 and I'm three behind, which unfortunately can happen in this game," Sterne said. "He shot 63 and I walked past him and said, 'Well, can't you shoot 62 around here?' " Sterne said. "He kind of answered me."

Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen is in solo third after a 67, and Felipe Aguilar (66), Jeev Milkha Singh (67) and Tommy Fleetwood (69) share fourth at 202.

Mark O'Meara, who started promisingly with a 67, has slipped down the leaderboard after rounds of 74 and 71. O'Meara, now 56, won the Dubai tournament in 2004.

For all the scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2013/tournamentid=2013009/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y.