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He should have been in Mallorca but not lapping up some autumn sunshine. Not when he’s in a position where every single shot counts right now. Not when he’s fighting furiously to hang on to a DP World Tour (better known to most as the European Tour) card, which he secured in 1996 and has held for all but one season since then. In 26 campaigns, he’s clocked up 624 appearances, which leaves him sandwiched between Colin Montgomerie and Paul Lawrie in ninth spot on the circuit’s all-time list. Oh, and let’s not forget his four title triumphs, including a breakthrough St Andrews success, and, also on home soil, a Ryder Cup appearance. “I could easily walk away right now and nobody would say anything and you’d go ‘by the way, not a bad career’,” said Stephen Gallacher, who turns 48 at the beginning of next month, and he’s right.