Stephen Gallacher wants to be first to Dubai Desert Classic hat-trick

The defending champion and Scot clearly likes Emirates Golf Club: his past four finishes in Dubai are 10th, second, first and first.

Stephen Gallacher has had four consecutive top-10 finishes at the Emirates Golf Club, including two titles. Pawan Singh / The National

DUBAI // Stephen Gallacher has set his sights on making more history with a third successive victory when the Omega Dubai Desert Classic gets underway at Emirates Golf Club on January 29.

Although South African great Ernie Els won the title on three occasions (1994, 2002, 2005), until last year no one had successfully defended his championship at the region’s longest-running European Tour event, which made its debut in 1989.

The Scot, who is also a Golf in Dubai ambassador, is one victory away from three after an “incredible 2014”, which saw him make a winning Ryder Cup debut at Gleneagles, rise to No 35 in the world and win more than US$2 million (Dh7.3m) in prize money.

Gallacher says an early success in Dubai will put him on course for even better results as he gives the final touches to his schedule for 2015, with fitness being high on the agenda.

“I love Dubai. I love the tournament and it will be great to repeat the success, but I not getting ahead of myself,” he said. “I hope to play well again and see where that leaves me.

“To defend the title in 2014, which was the 25th anniversary of the event, was special with all the former champions in the field. Dubai is one of my favourite stops on the European Tour because there is always a lot of strength at the top of the field.”

Gallacher clearly likes Emirates Golf Club: his past four finishes in Dubai are 10th, second, first and first.

Mohamed Juma Buamaim, vice chairman and chief executive of Golf in Dubai, said: “Stephen is a world-class player, one whose hard word has paid off in spades as his recent achievements suggest. Like everyone, we are really impressed by his constant quest for high performance.”