Stephen Gallacher has admitted that he is relishing adding to his family's Ryder Cup legacy after being given a second chance to realise a lifetime ambition.

The 39-year-old narrowly missed out on automatic qualification for this month's battle with America at Gleneagles when he finished third at the Italian Open last week, where a second-place finish would have guaranteed him a place on team Europe.

However, Paul McGinley was impressed enough with the Scot to hand him a wildcard pick for the event in his home country, and Gallacher, whose uncle Bernard Gallacher has previously skippered in the Ryder Cup, has conceded that he was relieved to get the phone call from his captain on Monday.

"The pressure went off my shoulders, he told Sky Sports News. "It was something to be part of and I'm delighted to have got that call.

"Paul has been great to me all along, giving me advice. He just said 'go and qualify for me – if not, you've done great anyway. And then all he said was 'you're going to have a long day on Monday but I'll phone you to let you know one way or the other'. He was right – it was a very long day on Monday.

"I can't wait to get going. Making my debut, there is nowhere I'd rather be going than Gleneagles. It's a course I really enjoy, I like it. I just can't wait to get up there. It's exciting – it's something I've wanted to play in all my life. The Ryder Cup has been a big part of my family. From a young kid it's something I've always wanted to do."

Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood were also wildcard selections, while Luke Donald and Francesco Monliari missed out.