Stephen Gallacher learns patience after fast start last year

Stephen Gallacher got off to a fast start in his Masters Tournament debut last year, but he learned that a successful beginning only gets a player so far.

Gallacher was 1-under through two rounds in 2014, but a third-round 81 knocked him out of contention. He followed with a final-round 70 to tie for 34th.

“I think patience is a key, not to push it,” Gallacher said. “There’s no secret to needing to get to a good start. It’s just going out and being comfortable with your own game. You just have to be patient.”

The 40-year-old is coming off a big 2014, when he successfully defended his Dubai Desert Classic title and finished tied for sixth at the WGC-Cadillac Championship. He also made his Ryder Cup debut for the European team.

Gallacher tees off at 8:51 a.m. Thursday, giving him the opportunity to watch Arnold Palmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus tee off as the honorary starters after late tee times prevented it last year.

“You can’t not watch that, can you?” he said. “Legends of the game. I wouldn’t miss that. It’s part of the tradition.”