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 The 39-year-old Scottish rookie is as proud as punch to finally
be involved in golf's biggest grudge match especially as he will be
making his debut against the United States on his own doorstep.
"It was my lifetime ambition, it was my goal to get here," Gallacher
told a news conference on Wednesday.
"I am very excited and it's all a bit surreal still because I live
so close but it's one I'm embracing. I'm just trying to use the
positive energy.
"I think I am a better golfer and I think I feel ready to play now,"
said Gallacher who lives in the town of Linlithgow, a 30-minute
drive from Gleneagles.
"It's been hard, you make a lot of sacrifices and do a lot of hard
work and it's paid off to be here in Scotland. As a proud Scot, a
couple of days out before the tournament, I just can't wait."
The Ryder Cup rookie, who turned professional in 1995, is the nephew
of Bernard Gallacher, three-times a European captain in the 1990s.
The 2013 and 2014 Dubai Desert Classic champion said his uncle had
given him a few tips on how to keep a lid on his excitement before
the matches get underway with Friday morning's fourballs.
"The hard thing I think is to conserve energy," said Gallacher.
"You're here quite a long time before the Friday start.
"My uncle told me it's a long week with early mornings and late
nights and to conserve my energy."
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Gallacher was one of captain Paul McGinley's three wildcard
selections after missing out on an automatic qualifying spot by the
narrowest of margins but world number one Rory McIlroy said the Scot
thoroughly deserved his place in the team.
"He has had a very solid couple of years and especially being from
Scotland and being able to play in the Ryder Cup in your home
country is huge," said the Northern Irishman.
"I love that he's on the team and as a rookie he should just go out
and embrace it and enjoy it.
"I remember my first match at Celtic Manor," added McIlroy in
reference to the 2010 edition in Wales. "I was so uptight and didn't
really want to make a mistake.
"That isn't the way to approach it. You have to almost go out and be
carefree and freewheel. That's what will enable you to play your
best golf."
(Editing by Sudipto Ganguly)
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