Stephen Gallacher reckons Gleneagles is the perfect place for him to make his Ryder Cup debut.
The 39-year-old landed one of European captain Paul McGinley’s three wild-card picks yesterday along with Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, ensuring there will be one Scot in the team to face the United States from September 26 to 28.
Gallacher’s impressive record at Gleneagles – where he has recorded seven top-10 finishes and only missed out in a play-off at last year’s Johnnie Walker championship – will have certainly enhanced his prospects of a captain’s pick.
The Press and Journal columnist is determined to put his local knowledge of the PGA Centenary course to good use this month.
He said: “I don’t think there would be a better course for me to be making my Ryder Cup debut.
“It is a course that I play well and it fits my eye.
“I like the set-up and it is in great condition. It is just up the road and I have played it a lot.
“For the Ryder Cup to be in Scotland and at a course just up the road is a perfect fit for me.”
Gallacher narrowly missed out on qualifying for the team in his own right by the smallest of margins.
A top-two finish at the Italian Open on Sunday would have earned him enough points to leapfrog Graeme McDowell and claim the ninth automatic place.
But the Scot came third – one shot behind runner-up David Howell – and was left with a nervous wait while McGinley decided his three picks.
But despite missing out on an automatic place, Gallacher rated his performance in Italy as the best of his career.
He added: “I would say it was my biggest achievement.
“I knew what I needed to do, finish first or second, and I gave it my best shot. I finished third with a fantastic last round.
“I think for me to know that I have managed to deliver when I had to is very satisfying.”