Scotsman David Drysdale could be just 36 holes from his first DP World Tour win…in his 571st start.
The 47-year-old is 11 under par at the halfway stage of the Acciona Open de Espana Presented by Madrid. He is one shot off the lead held by countryman Stephen Gallacher and England’s Paul Waring after posting a second round 5-under 66.
The Edinburgh native has four second place finishes in 21 seasons on the DP World Tour. He came close to realising his dream of a European victory two years ago when he lost a five-hole playoff to Spain’s Jorge Campillo in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.
Victory at the end of the week would go a long way to helping Drysdale keep his European Tour card. He is 176th on the Race to Dubai, and currently needs to climb inside the top 117 to secure his playing rights on the 2023 DP World Tour. A win would give him a two-year exemption.
The Scot is having to negotiate Club de Campo Villa dea Madrid’s Black Course without the help of wife Victoria, who not only manages him but caddies for him too. He’s had to make do with a local caddie after she felt unwell and was unable to carry his tour bag. Fortunately, Drysdale has hooked up with a Madrid local well versed in the vagaries of the tournament venue, who also proved good company for the Scotsman in round two.
“Today I had a local lad who was the club champion here a couple of years ago and he helped me round today,” Drysdale said. “We were talking all the way round. He’s from Madrid and was telling me all the places to visit, all the things to do, so that’s been pretty cool. I’ve just done my own numbers and yardages, but he’s been good company.”
Drysdale would have a share of the lead if not for a slight hiccup at the 18th hole.
“There’s been some mixed stuff from tee to green and some very good putting. I three-putted the last, which was a bit of a shame as that was my first dropped shot in two days. But I’m very pleased to be in that position heading into the weekend.”
A knee injury has hampered Drysdale’s quest to rise up the Race to Dubai. He’s only made nine cuts from his previous 26 appearances this season, so the pressure is on.
Stephen Gallacher is also facing pressure of his own. The four-time DP World Tour winner sits at 193rd on the Race to Dubai, 76 spots outside the threshold for keeping his card.
Like Drysdale, a win would take care of next season for Gallacher. The 2014 Ryder Cup player believes recent hard work he has put in to improve his game could give him the chance of a fifth DP World Tour title.
“You are always working to improve and we just worked on my backswing,” Gallacher said. “It’s also been a different way of thinking as I’ve been working with my psychologist as well, just freeing myself up and just swinging at it.”
Scottish golf fans will be hoping one of their kin can emerge on Sunday with one of European golf’s oldest trophies.
