Golf guru Bob Torrance believes there are major champions who would love to hit the ball as purely as Scotland’s Stephen Gallacher.
The renowned coach has mentored Gallacher for several years and claimed his pupil is the best on the European Tour when it comes to the sweetness of strike.
And he is convinced Gallacher can challenge for the Open if he can get his putting up to a similar standard.
Torrance said, “Stephen is the best ball-striker on the tour. There are guys who have won majors who would love to strike the ball as well as he does.”
He added, “I actually think he has underachieved on the European Tour when it comes to victories. He should have won more but he will win more.
“There is no doubt he can win this week, the way he hits it. It is a pressure situation but he can handle it.”
Gallacher has returned to the belly putter which earned him the Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews in 2004 after suffering frustration on the greens in recent weeks.
Torrance said, “It is just a case of Stephen getting going with the putter.
“Sometimes it is a change of club, other times it can be the grip or a slight alteration with technique it is whatever works for the individual.”
Torrance is also confident about the hopes of another of his pupils, three-time major winner Padraig Harrington.
The Irishman has slumped down the world rankings but showed encouraging signs of recovery at the Scottish Open last week.
Torrance said, “Padraig is playing very well and if he is in the right frame of mind then he could win again.”