Stephen Gallacher excited to be in with chance of securing Champions Tour card

With just five cards up for grabs, the former Ryder Cup player sits joint-seventh after opening with rounds of 70-65-68.

“Yeah, it was good,” said Gallacher of his third-round effort, which yielded birdies at the seventh, tenth and 15th at TPC Scottsdale.

He was bogey-free for the second day running and added: “Played lovely again today. I didn’t hole as many putts as yesterday, but I am pleased how I am doing.”

Gallacher, who turned 50 last month, sits on ten under, four shots better than compatriot David Drysdale (70-69-68).

“It would be brilliant as that was my goal when I went to the pre-qualifier,” said Gallacher in reply to being asked what it would mean if he could get his hands on a card.

“All you can do is give yourself a chance tomorrow and that’s what I’ve done. You never know in golf what’s round the corner, but I am delighted I have given myself that chance.

“You just have to get as low as you can, which is what I have been aiming to do all week. I am a little bit disappointed because I left a few out there, but it’s always good when you shoot 68 and feel a bit disappointed.”

Dane Soren Kjeldsen (64-65-65) leads by three shots from Swede Freddie Jacobsen (65-66-66). Like Gallacher, they both have their sons caddying for them.

“I’ve known Freddie and Soren for 30 years and they are good friends,” said Gallacher, Europe’s Junior Ryder Cup captain.

“My son, Jack, has caddied for me six years and I know why Freddie and Soren have done it as well this week as you are in a hotel and it’s a good bit of company when you are with your son away from the course.”