Gallacher and Sterne stay in the reckoning

Gallacher plays a bunker shot in the first round. — AP

There was a sense of déjà vu at the Omega Dubai Desert Classic on Thursday, with the reigning champion Stephen Gallacher and last year’s runner-up Richard Sterne prominent figures on the leaderboard once more.

Both men picked up where they left off 11 months ago with respective six-under par opening rounds for a five-way share of third position alongside England’s Matthew Baldwin, Julien Quesne, of France, and Damien McGrane from the Republic of Ireland.

That quintet trail outright leader Rory McIlroy by three shots heading into day two on Friday, when Gallacher will be hoping to add to his initial effort of an eagle, five birdies and a bogey still further.

“I’m delighted to get off to a good start,” the Scot, 39, said. “You cannot win it today (Thursday), but you can put yourself in position. With Rory shooting nine-under, I’m hanging in there.

“You want to get off to a good start and then hopefully build on it. The weather is supposed to be inclement at the weekend, so I want to try and stay as close to Rory as I can. The weather was pretty good and the course was in perfect condition today.”

alex@khaleejtimes.com