Gallacher Eyes Road to Cambodia Lead as Legends Head to Spain

The Staysure Legends Tour heads to Spain this week for the European Legends Cup by SR Nexus, with the battle at the top of the Road to Cambodia Order of Merit finely poised.

Just 106 points separate the leading three, with Ryder Cup stars Stephen Gallacher and Jamie Donaldson both within touching distance of current leader Mikael Lundberg.

Lundberg leads the standings on 2,438 points following his maiden seniors victory at the Staysure English Legends at Chart Hills, but the Swede will not tee it up at Fontanals Golf this week.

That gives Gallacher, who sits just 104 points behind on 2,334, the opportunity to move to the top of the standings. The Scot, a member of Europe’s victorious 2014 Ryder Cup team under Paul McGinley, has recorded five top-ten finishes so far this season.

Jamie Donaldson is just a couple of points further back in third on 2,332. The Welshman famously secured the winning point for Europe at the 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and will also have the chance to make ground in Spain.

The field also features two Major champions, with 2005 U.S. Open winner Michael Campbell and 1999 Open Champion Paul Lawrie both set to tee it up at Fontanals Golf, adding further pedigree to a strong international field in the Pyrenees.

Adilson da Silva, meanwhile, returns to the European Legends Cup with an impressive record in the event, having won the inaugural edition before finishing runner-up to Scott Hend last year at tournament host José María Olazábal’s home course of Basozabal.

“I enjoy going back to Spain – they’ve got beautiful golf courses there,” said da Silva.

“When you feel like you’ve won there before, you go with a nice, strong, positive frame of mind. So I’m looking forward to going back and hopefully contending.”

Da Silva heads to Fontanals encouraged by an upturn in form and believes his game is beginning to come together at the right time.

“It’s been very much up and down from the beginning of the season up to now, and then last week I managed to get back to what I was a couple of years ago, and it feels so good.

“I think it’s a combination of concentration, really – getting your mind in the right place – and then the putting also plays such a big part.

“I’ve been working very hard on my game. It slowly feels like everything is coming together, and I think it’s a good time of year to start playing well. We’ve still got a few events left, so I’m feeling good.”

Da Silva will be making his first competitive appearance at Fontanals Golf, but his affinity with Spain gives him plenty of reason for optimism.

“I haven’t been there, but I believe it’s a wonderful course and I can’t wait to get there. In Spain, the courses are generally excellent, and I think fair golf courses too.

“It reminds me a bit of back home in Brazil — Spain is very similar. I’ve always enjoyed going to Spain, and I think the people there are so nice, so welcoming. It’s a wonderful place, and I feel right at home.”

This week marks the third edition of the European Legends Cup and a first visit to Fontanals Golf, situated 1,059 metres above sea level in the heart of La Cerdanya.

Against the backdrop of the Pyrenees, the course provides a new test for the Staysure Legends Tour field having previously staged the DP World Tour Qualifying School Second Stage and events on the HotelPlanner Tour, including the Challenge de Catalunya earlier this year.

The European Legends Cup by SR Nexus takes place from 18–20 September at Fontanals Golf.