Gallagher hopes to get grip among pro ranks

Published on Tuesday 6 January 2009 22:12

JOHN Gallagher, the Swanston player who nearly made it to the US Masters in 2006, is set to launch his unusual grip on to the professional stage in the coming months.

The 27-year-old, who missed out on a trip to Augusta National after losing in the final of the 2005 Amateur championship at Royal Birkdale, is poised to make the step up after competing in the PGA EuroPro Tour's qualifying school in early April.

Gallagher, who won the 2007 Scottish Amateur title at Prestwick despite playing with a cracked bone in his wrist, fell at the first hurdle of the European Tour's Q-school last season but, having agreed in principle a series of financial deals to ease his transition, the former greenkeeper is keen to realise his professional ambitions.

"I've been thinking about doing it for a while and with the financial backing I've managed to secure I feel the time is right," said Gallagher, whose left-hand-below-right style made him an instant hit on the UK amateur circuit.

"I realise how difficult the pro game will be, but I don't want to look back on my career with the regret that I didn't at least give it a go.

"I'll know within three years if I am good enough to do it and I'm going to work as hard as I can to make sure I give it my best shot."