Stephen Gallacher may be a 39-year-old Ryder Cup rookie, but he’s not a rookie at golf and certainly not a rookie at the PGA Centenary Course.
The Scot has played the host course at Gleneagles “maybe 100 plus times” in his life, has followed closely the evolution of the track into its Ryder Cup state and is not surprisingly a walking course guide for his team-mates in practice.
Playing practice with Ian Poulter and Justin Rose, an established pairing that will surely be one of Friday morning’s fourballs, it was Gallacher showing them where to go, although not profitably.
“It cost me 150 quid, if that’s what you mean,” confirming that his pocket had been picked as well as his local knowledge.
“Rosie holed a bunker shot at the last and also holed one for a 10-skinner, which was a sore one. But it was great, they’re both good mates of mine.
“I had the pin positions from the last couple of years, the yardage books with me, and I was able to give them a bit of a rod on the lines, reads on the greens and where the wind normally comes from. Anything I can help with, obviously I’m going to do it.”
Knowing the course better than anyone, Gallacher is well judged to see what’s been done for this unique occasion.
“The rough’s a little thicker than we usually see it but it’s ultimately the same course we’ve been playing,” he continued.
“The course has been evolving these last four years, a few alterations, the Sub-Air system on the greens, changes to bunkers and it’s all for the better.
“I think every Scot would want to be here and if I could have picked it myself, I’d have picked here, there’s nowhere better to play this than Gleneagles.
“To play in front of your home fans, seeing friendly faces, and seeing them be partisan but also respectful. There’s no pressure on me, I think it’s only going to be positive.”
Even the first tee, set up specifically for drama and acknowledged as possibly the most nervous experience in golf, is something Gallacher intends to enjoy.
“It’s quite dramatic, you come under the tunnel and Seve is the last face you see, then up the hill it’s like walking into a football stadium,” he said.
“I’m trying not to put pressure on myself. First tee at Augusta was fine and the first tee at St Andrews is always fun. I know this will be different but hopefully I’ll enjoy it.”
The home advantage makes him feel less like a rookie, he added.
“I’m 39, and I’m not a rookie to golf,” he pointed out. “It’s in my home country, and although it’s kind of surreal that I’m playing in this so close to home, it’ll help me.
“Jamie Donaldson is 38 he and I have been about. I’ve known Lee Westwood since my amateur days. Everyone’s made me feel part of the team.”
This being only a week after the referendum, Gallacher was quizzed by foreign press.
“I don’t think that will have any effect on the event,” he said. “We are Europeans here, we play under the blue flag.
“It’s the great thing about the European Tour, we have friends from all countries, we come together as one for this week.
“You get to bond with guys and for one week we all pull as one. Ever since it went from GB&I to Europe and Seve sort of created the team ethic, you have seen guys from all different countries now involved.”