Gallacher a major Poults fan

Bernard Gallacher has backed in-form Ian Poulter to go on and win a major crown in 2010.

Poulter is in the form of his life with his victory at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship - the first in the history of the event by an Englishman - lifting him to a career-high of five in the world rankings.

The 34-year-old has been on an upward spiral ever since finishing second in the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale in 2008 and Gallacher expects him to go one better this year.

"It would surprise me if he doesn't win a major this year," the former European Ryder Cup captain told Sky Sports News.

"I know he's confident and he can sometimes come over as being brash, but he knows his swing, he knows where he's going and he plays a good game.

"Obviously he's very difficult to play at match play, he's got a great record in the Ryder Cup."

Gallacher is equally complimentary of the man currently one place ahead of Poulter in the world rankings, Lee Westwood.

The Scot also expects Westwood to be contending at the majors this year, adding: "Lee Westwood is an outstanding prospect to win a major. Great player, got the game... I'm just surprised he's not won a major yet."

Praise for European Tour

With Westwood and Poulter leading the way, Gallacher feels European golf is in great shape and believes the ever-expanding and increasingly-competitive European Tour has played a crucial role.

"The European Tour plays in China, it plays in Malaysia, it plays in Australia, South Africa, Europe, all over the world and it's a tough Tour to play on," he explained.

"It's different conditions, different time zones, different grasses and this really helps them cultivate their swings.

"This is one of the reasons Ian Poulter has done so well, he's learned his craft on such a tough Tour."