Gallacher focused on final Dubai place
Lawrie is lying 60th in the Race to Dubai and leads nearest challenger Gallacher by around £15,000 in the final counting event for the season-ending finale in the Middle East.
Both opened with one-under 69s to lie in a share of 16th place, meaning Lawrie still has the edge, but Gallacher is aiming to stay focused as he bids to snatch back the final spot.
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Hide Ad“It is one of those situations that you try not to think about. I am just trying to treat this as a normal tournament,” said the Lothians man.
“But that could change if it comes down to a certain point on Sunday and you start to look at where you are and where other guys are and work out if you really need to go for it.
“I am desperate to be involved next week because it’s such a big event, and once you are there you are playing for a massive amount of money and all that comes with it in terms of Ryder Cup points and world rankings.”
Richie Ramsay, lying 30th in the Race to Dubai, is the top Scot after a two-under 68 that earned him a place in the top 10, while Paul Lawrie matched Gallacher’s opening effort.
David Drysdale, who has probably done enough to retain his card, is down in a share of 77th alongside Colin Montgomerie after they could only manage 73s.