Matt Wallace's professional career came to life in 2017 and 2018 with four DP World Tour wins, and during that time, his caddie was David McNeilly.

However, after a T27 at the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational in 2019, the pair split, with the parting of the ways arriving months after a controversy at that year's BMW International Open, when Wallace appeared to verbally abuse the Ulsterman.

Wallace turned to Phil 'Wobbly' Morbey following the split, but in 2020, he and McNeilly reunited, with Wallace explaining to Golf Monthly: "I've got Dave back as well, which is massive for me because it feels like we had one go.

"We've learnt from that and now we're moving forward to win these big tournaments so I really want to win a Major for Dave before he signs off somewhere down the line."

Once again, though, the working relationship didn't last, and eventually he linked up with Sam Bernard.

In 2023, Wallace was once again involved in a controversy, this time at the Valspar Championship, where he and Bernard got into a heated spat, although the Frenchman helped Wallace claim his maiden PGA Tour win in the next tournament, the Corales Puntacana Championship.

The arrangement continued for several more months until Wallace started working with his most recent bagman, Jamie Lane, who had previously enjoyed success with players including Matt Fitzpatrick and Bernd Wiesberger.

Lane appears to have helped Wallace with the psychological side of his game.

At the 2024 Mexico Open, Wallace explained Lane had got him to imagine he was four-over before the tournament began. He explained: "We kind of came up with a system of like starting over par so we’ve already played one round, right?”

“To make the cut, you’ve got to get yourself into it. So yesterday was four over, and we managed to shoot one under, which is five under, and today it was three over.”

Whatever methods the two employ, it is definitely working. Wallace followed up a T33 at that event with several more top-10s in 2024, including victory at the Omega European Masters, his fifth on the DP World Tour and first for more than six years.

Matt Wallace has set his sights firmly on a place in Luke Donald's European Ryder Cup team for the 2025 match at Bethpage Black.

The Englishman has yet to make an appearance at the Ryder Cup, with his most surprising omission coming in 2018 when he wasn't among captain Thomas Bjorn's wildcards despite claiming three wins during the year leading to the selections.

Wallace was a guest on the Sky Sports Golf podcast, where he explained that his absence from the Le Golf National match six years ago initially left him perplexed, although he now understands why he was left out.

He said: "That missing out, especially when Dave McNeilly was caddying for me at the time. He was like, 'We're in.' He was telling me we're in so I obviously thought we'd get there and then couldn't really understand why we didn't, but now I look back and I go, 'OK, rookie, they went on to win, great win, having Sergio there, most points in the Ryder Cup,' those sorts of things.

"I understand more now and I'd never played against the big stars, the big players really on a constant basis. It would have been a little bit of a risk for Thomas to throw me in. Not saying I couldn't have done it but it would have been a risk, so I understand, and I missed the cut at the French Open that year. Those are the excuses as to why I didn't make the Ryder Cup."

Wallace is once again in the frame, this time for automatic inclusion. The qualifying period began with the DP World Tour's Betfred British Masters at The Belfry in September, where he finished T8, and he followed that with victory at the Omega European Masters to leave him second behind Rasmus Hojgaard in the current standings, with the top six making the team.

Wallace believes that, even if he misses out on automatic qualification, his experience of both the Ryder Cup course and his time on the PGA Tour should see him firmly in Donald's thoughts.

He added: "I came third at the PGA at Bethpage. I was behind Brooks in DJ at Bethpage in 2019. That's not going to be an excuse this time. That can't be an excuse this time.

"I will be a Ryder Cup rookie but I've played on the PGA Tour for five years now against the best players in the world. I've beaten a lot of them. I'm not scared. I'm up for the fight. I feel like I've got the mentality to deal with anything over there and, yeah, I just want to make it."

Wallace continued his strong recent form with the T20 at last week's Andalucia Masters and, though he is not in the field for this week's Genesis Championship, he has already guaranteed his place in the DP World Tour Playoffs phase of the season, which will conclude the 2024 Race to Dubai, and where elevated Ryder Cup ranking points will be on offer.

Matt Wallace has enjoyed an excellent run of form over the past 12 months, with the Englishman claiming his first PGA Tour title, and now, his first DP World Tour victory in six years.

Going into the final round of the Omega European Masters, the Englishman led by four strokes but, following a strong finish from Spain's Alfredo Garcia-Heredia, the duo headed to a playoff and, thanks to a birdie at the first playoff hole on the 18th, it was Wallace who claimed the spoils.

Having narrowly missed out on the victory at the same course some two years ago, it was sweet redemption for Wallace, who was visibly emotional as he picked up the trophy at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club. However, the Englishman's mind seemed to be set on one particular aspect...

Back in 2018, many felt that Wallace was hard done by to miss out on a spot on the European Ryder Cup team, following three victories in a six month period. Now, with the Ryder Cup 12 months away, his victory in Switzerland shows how determined the 34-year-old is to make the team at Bethpage Black.

"I'm very proud of today. I'm going to stop crying because this is happy! I work hard, Ryder Cup, let's go!" Wallace stated following his victory, his first on the European circuit in six years.

"That was a hard day! It felt like I played alright... Sorry for the tears... I'm happy, that was good! It wasn't easy, I felt like there was a score out there and I couldn't get anything going. I hit good drives but, like the ninth hole, I hit a good drive and messed up to take an advantage going into the back nine.

"I kept pushing and, Alfredo (Garcia-Heredia) did what he needed to do at the end and I said to him 'great playing'. The last hole brought back memories of two years ago when I lost and I wasn't focused then. But (today), that's focus to me and I'm buzzing".

Given where Wallace was just a few months ago, following an emotional interview at the Genesis Scottish Open, it's some turn around for the Englishman, who now leads the Ryder Cup standings in the early stages.

Matt Wallace defeated Alfredo Garcia-Heredia in a playoff at the European Masters to win his first DP World Tour title in six years on Sunday.

Wallace last reigned supreme in Europe at the 2018 Made In Denmark and almost missed his chance to end that run after putting himself in prime position after 54 holes. 

The Englishman began the final round on 11-under and with a four-stroke lead but, gradually, saw his advantage melt away in the snow-covered mountains at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in Switzerland.

At the same course in which he lost to Thriston Lawrence in a playoff two years ago, Wallace was desperately trying to clutch onto an ever-narrowing lead under pressure from the charging pair of Andrew Johnston and Garcia-Heredia down the back nine.

Heading down the 72nd hole one behind, the Spaniard - who was only recently playing in pro-am tournaments in his homeland before being encouraged to go out on tour by his wife - secured a clutch birdie to finish with a closing 66 and send the event into overtime as Wallace signed for a 70.

In the end, both golfers enjoyed a happy ending as Wallace stuck his approach shot to seven feet for a birdie - which ended his long wait for a win - and Garcia-Heredia could console himself with the fact that his DP World Tour card for 2025 was secured as a result of his high finish.

European Masters Leaderboard

• -11 Wallace (Playoff winner), Garcia-Heredia
• -10 Johnston
• -8 Gugler, Scrivener

Updates from...

Hello everyone and welcome to Golf Monthly's coverage of the European Masters final round at Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in Crans Montana, Switzerland. 

The leaders have just begin their back nine in the mountains, and it's Matt Wallace who leads Andrew Johnston by three strokes as both chase a first DP World Tour victory since at least 2018. Wallace claimed the Made In Denmark six years ago, while Johnston last triumphed at the Open de Espana in 2016.

Meanwhile, home favorite Cedric Gugler needs to finish second on his own to wrap up a DP World Tour card for next season. There is so much on the line here this afternoon.

Thank you for joining us. We will endeavour to bring you all of the key moments until a champion is crowned, whoever that may be!

FINAL-ROUND UPDATE

Wallace began Sunday with a four-stroke lead and, having played some very steady golf through his first 11 holes, he still has a three-shot advantage on 11-under.

We've just come out the other side of a circa 30-minute delay due to heavy cloud on the 12th tee, and that won't have helped Wallace - who will want to get this one over the line as quickly as possible.

Andrew 'Beef' Johnston is one of two players in second on -8, and he is still hopeful of a first win since 2016. But he needs some birdies coming home, and the holes are quickly running out.

One shot further back, Switzerland's Cedric Gugler needs a solo second result to wrap up his DP World Tour card for 2025 today. Otherwise, his quest will continue into the final few weeks.

FINAL GROUP PLAY IT SAFE

After the final trio all par the 12th, they reach the par-3 13th. It's 181 yards downhill but the flag is at the front with a huge lake guarding the front left. As predicted, they all bail out a long way right of the flag. It's the smart play, especially as there are a couple of par-5's coming up...

AS YOU WERE

Garcia-Heredia is furthest away, only just on the green but the opposite side to the flag. He sends one weaving down there from 50 feet, and it stops at tap-in range. That was class. Beef goes next from a little closer, and he's left with a foot or two still.

Despite going last, Wallace is still next to go. That's a nervous length coming back. But he's got nerves of steel, Wallace. It just slips in the left edge. Par. Par. Par. It's as you were.

Meanwhile, Cedric Gugler joins three others at eight-under with another birdie. He's playing so well today. He's been excellent all week.

WALLACE IN TROUBLE

Johnston absolutely rockets one down the 550-yard par 5. This could be an eagle chance if his approach is close. It shouldn't be that far, either, after the ball caught the down slope and skipped further down the fairway.

Meanwhile, Wallace pulled his drive left and could be chipping out sideways if he doesn't have a gap...

He has... something... but it's not pretty. The Englishman just stabs back out onto the fairway. He can still make five from there. That's fine, especially given where his drive went.

JOHNSTON HAS EAGLE CHANCE

Beef has 161 to go. Bare in mind that the hole is 550 yards... He sends a nine-iron hole high but some 20 feet left. An eagle chance nonetheless, and it should cut Wallace's lead.

The leader sends his third shot from the fairway to about the same distance, almost hitting Johnston's ball as it zips back.

SCRIVENER RESPONDS

Jason Scrivener responds to a six on the par-5 15th with another birdie, and he's back into that cluster on -8. The Australian is three-under for the day.

WALLACE'S LEAD DOWN TO TWO

It was a positive eagle attempt by Beef from 20 feet or so, downhill and out of the left, but the ball rolls on by. It matters not, as he sinks the return putt for birdie and moves on to nine-under.

Alfredo Garcia-Heredia follows suit but leaves his eagle putt just short. He's also up to -9.

Wallace didn't appear to learn much from Johnston, missing his birdie attempt on the high side. However, like Johnston, Wallace finds the hole no problem on the way back.

FOUR HOLES TO PLAY

I've got to say, the sound of the golf ball being thwacked by a driver in the mountains at Crans-sur-Sierre is one of the sweetest sounds in the game. It's incredible. 

The final group all boom one down there on 15. It's a 566-yard par 5 which rises in front of you. The challenge for Wallace is rising, too. He has to remember that his fate remains under his own control. Not easy, especially when your lead has been cut in half and you haven't won in more than six years.

MIDDLING APPROACH SHOTS

Garcia-Heredia was in the bunker down the right side of the fairway, and he absolutely thumped his ball towards the flag with some kind of hybrid. It sounded incredible, but he was slightly unfortunate in that he found the green-side bunker.

Johnston is over to the right of the green and faces a fairly simple chip up hill after bailing out of his approach with an iron, while Wallace has an awkward chip from the collar of the rough after his second shot just leaked left. It is hole high and inside 20 feet, but it's all about what kind of contact the leader can make.

RECOVERY BIRDIE FROM WALLACE

Wallace dinks his ball out of the collar and leaves it a couple of feet away for a simple birdie putt.

But what a response from Johnston! He still had something like 12 feet after a disappointing chip, but Beef positively stroked his own birdie putt into the middle of the hole. That's real guts from Johnston.

Not to be left out, Garcia-Heredia whips his bunker shot just past the hole and rolls in a birdie as well! Real quality from the final group.

BEEF PILES ON THE PRESSURE

At the final par-3, Johnston draws one in to 20 feet on the 186-yard hole. Garcia-Heredia is a long way right on the opposite side of the green.

Going last, Wallace is just off the green to the left. That is likely a par. Just about advantage Johnston.

WALLACE NERVES

Wallace chose to putt through a decent amount of fairway grass and up the slope between himself and the green, but it doesn't really get close. He's still got 10 feet or so.

WALLACE BOGEYS 16

Beef comes up just short with his birdie attempt, but it's still good enough to close the gap as Wallace slides his par attempt wide. Wallace had a four-stroke lead barely nine holes ago. It's now one.

LEADING TRIO ALL ABOARD ON 17

Garcia-Heredia, Johnston, and Wallace all have birdie putts of similar distance from around 15 feet. A hat-trick of clutch approach shots there.

HOME FAVORITE FINISHES UP

Cedric Gugler sees his birdie attempt on 18 - which would have launched an avalanche had it gone in, such is the size of the crowd following him - just nip wide. It hit one of his playing partners' markers on its way down, and that seemed to keep it above board.

Nevertheless, he ends T4th and has booked his spot at the Irish Open next week. What a week for the Swiss player.

WALLACE LEADS BY ONE WITH ONE TO PLAY

Johnston goes first and looks as if he's holed it, but it agonizingly dribbles wide to the left. Garcia-Heredia leaves his own effort short, and Wallace was not particularly close despite watching Johnston go from an almost-identical spot.

But when all is said and done, it's pars all around and Wallace maintains his one-stroke lead with just the 72nd hole to play. True drama!

CONTRASTING TEE SHOTS

Oh no, no, no, Beef. Johnston has birdied the 18th two out of three attempts so far this week, but just when he needed something decent to set up a birdie, his tee shot is pulled left and he might be struggling to make par. 

Meanwhile, Wallace shows sublime mental strength to rifle one down the middle of the fairway after watching his lead cut from four to one. It's only 400 yards, the 18th, so this will be a wedge in. It seems like it's Wallace's tournament, at long last.

PLAYOFF INCOMING?

Stunning from Johnston. With a little bit of help from the golfing Gods, Johnston had a decent lie and a gap in the trees. He's pumped one to the back of the green and still has some life left in the form of a long-range birdie putt.

But here comes Garcia-Heredia! The Spaniard has left himself no more than eight feet for birdie from just over 100 yards. This could be going to a playoff all of a sudden!

Wallace finds the middle of the green from exactly 100 yards, and he's got a tough putt himself to win this thing outright in regulation. 

NOT TO BE FOR BEEF

Johnston gives it a good roll, but the ball just won't turn enough and comes up short. He will finish at least solo third.

WALLACE ENDS ON -11

Wallace can't make birdie from 20 feet or so and he finishes on -11. Will it be enough? We're about to find out...

PLAYOFF TO COME

Garcia-Heredia drains it and we'll go back down 18 for a playoff! Should it be necessary, they'll play 18 three times and then alternate between 10 and 18 until a winner is crowned. 

PLAYOFF UNDERWAY

Wallace was away first down 18 and just faded his tee shot back into the fairway. That's ideal. Garcia-Heredia - who has now secured his DP World Tour card for next year after recently being told to get out on tour by his wife following a string of good results in Spanish pro-ams - follows suit.

APPROACH SHOTS INCOMING

Wallace has 99 yards to go. Garcia-Heredia has 112. The Englishman has birdied this hole two out of four times this week. The Spaniard has done it three times.

If I had any sort of talent, I'd much prefer Wallace's tee shot. Not only because it's closer, but also because it's just that much further left.

STUNNING FROM WALLACE

He might have let a four-stroke lead slip in regulation, but Wallace looks like he might have iced this tournament with a beautiful wedge shot which lands just past the flag and zips back to eight feet below the hole. Garcia-Heredia is perfectly capable of holing his birdie putt from 15-20 feet, mind, but you'd fancy Wallace is the favorite at this juncture.

WALLACE TO WIN...

Garcia-Heredia pulls it just left. Wallace has a chance to win it again...

MATT WALLACE WINS

He's done it! After six years and six days without a DP World Tour win, the Englishman screams into the mountain air moments on from his seven-foot birdie putt hitting the bottom of the cup. Every win means so much to each player, but especially after everything he has been through - including a playoff defeat here two years ago - that will mean the world.

HEAR FROM THE WINNER

An emotional Wallace responds after his first DP World Tour title in six years!

We all know that golfers show emotion on the golf course, especially when they're in the grip of a bad run of form, or perhaps just having an off-day. However, it's rare that we hear, or even see, their reactions off the golf course.

Over the past few years, the DP World Tour have introduced the 'Green Room', a process that works by players sitting themselves down facing a camera with a robot asking questions. It's designed to show players in a different light, by encouraging them to let their guard down.

Previously, we have seen an incredibly honest interview from James Morrison, who claimed that the game of golf is "absolutely impossible for the mere mortal," following a final round of 76. Now, at the Genesis Scottish Open, PGA Tour winner, Matt Wallace, has also given a raw interview that many have praised him for.

"I didn't realise it was this quick that you come in here (green room)," stated Wallace after his two-over-par round to miss the cut in Scotland. "Yeah... I'm pretty gutted. I'm trying to change my attitude towards the game by being a bit more positive about it... I just lack a load of self-confidence at the moment... Yeah, it's hard".

Throughout 2024, Wallace has missed seven cuts on the PGA Tour, with his best result coming at The CJ Cup Byron Nelson, where he finished in a tie for fourth. However, having missed his last two cuts, the Englishman was critical of where his game is currently.

"I'm just not where I want to be, in the game. You can't force it, you've got to roll with the punches and... that's what I'm doing at the moment. I'm working hard every day and that's the way it is.

"The game doesn't owe you anything and I don't like to get emotional about it but, I'm an emotional person, as everyone knows. It's hard. Everyone knows I'm an emotional person, but I try the best I can. Some people don't like the approach that I have, but I'm always just trying to improve myself and be the best I can. To everyone out there who supports me... We'll be back, we'll get there."

Having carded a two-under first round on Thursday, Wallace struggled on Friday at The Renaissance Club, as a bogey-par-bogey finish meant he ended his day three back of the three-under-par cutline. 

Although Wallace seems to be struggling with his form, he is certainly no quitter, as noted with his maiden PGA Tour victory at the 2023 Corales Puntacana Championship. Coming into that week, he had missed six cuts in seven starts and, following a seventh place finish the week prior to his win, he was able to card a 19-under total to claim the title.

Sergio Garcia, Graeme McDowell and Michael Block were among some of the biggest names to miss out at Final Qualifying for the 151st Open, while a number of big names and local stars made it through to Royal Liverpool.

Royal Liverpool's own Matthew Jordan made it in for his second Major and second successive Open Championship after posting a 10-under total at West Lancs. The home favourite, who has been a member at Hoylake since his childhood, finished one behind recent PGA Tour winner and four-time DP World Tour victor Matt Wallace, who led the way at 11-under after rounds of 68 and 65.

- Amazon Prime Day Golf Deals

West Lancs also saw South Africa's Kyle Barker make it through at 10-under, ahead of Alex Fitzpatrick, younger brother of 2022 US Open champion Matt, who will play in his first ever Major in two weeks' time.

Tiger Woods isn't fit enough to play at Hoylake, where he won in 2006, but there will be a Tiger there in the form of German amateur Tiger Christensen, who carded rounds of 68 and 67 to join Fitzpatrick on nine-under.

Big crowds packed in to West Lancs to watch 2017 Masters champion and Ryder Cup record points scorer Sergio Garcia, who came up three shy. The Spaniard, who came through qualifying in Texas to make last month's US Open, shot six-under to finish T6th and three short of the five spots up for grabs. Garcia misses The Open for the first time since 1997.

Garcia's fellow Ryder Cupper and LIV player Graeme McDowell also missed out at West Lancs, coming up five short with a four-under 36-hole total.

North of the border in Ayrshire, Michael Block failed to take one of the four spots on the Scottish links of Dundonald where rounds of 77 and 76 left him well off the pace. The PGA Championship club pro hero told Golf Monthly on Monday that comments about Rory McIlroy he made were "totally misconstrued", while also saying his game is in good shape.

Scotland's Michael Stewart led the way at Dundonald at seven-under, with England's Marco Penge taking the second of four spots at five-under. Australia's Connor McKinney came through at three-under, while Scotland's Graeme Roberston holed a monter putt on the fifth playoff hole to book his spot at Royal Liverpool.

Down on the south-east coast of England at Royal Cinque Ports, South Africans took three of the five spots up for grabs including LIV players Charl Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, and Branden Grace, who famously became the first ever man to shoot 62 in a Major at the 2017 Open at Royal Birkdale.

DP World Tour pros Thomas Detry and Antoine Rozner also made it through on the Kent coast.

In Wales at Royal Porthcawl, LIV golfer Laurie Canter led the way to make his second consecutive Open Championship. Canter, currently playing for Majesticks GC, won by a huge four strokes at eight-under-par after an excellent afternoon 65 to go with his 69 in the morning.

Fellow Englishmen Brandon Robinson Thompson, who now plays on the MENA Tour following the EuroPro Tour folding, finished second at four-under with fellow countryman Matt Southgate also qualifying at two-under. Southgate, who finished T6th at Royal Birkdale in 2017, will make his seventh Major appearance at Hoylake.

Jazz Janewattananond and Oliver Farr took the final two places at one-under following an agonising triple bogey at the last for Oliver Bekker, who would have got through with a par.

Dundonald Links

• -7 Michael Stewart (Scotland)
• -5 Marco Penge (England)
• -3 Connor McKinney (Australia)
• -3 Graeme Robertson (Scotland)

Royal Cinque Ports

• -3 Martin Rohwer (South Africa)
• -3 Thomas Detry (Belgium)
• -2 Charl Schwartzel (South Africa)
• -2 Branden Grace (South Africa)
• -2 Antoine Rozner (France)

Royal Porthcawl

• -8 Laurie Canter (England)
• -4 Brandon Robinson Thompson (England)
• -2 Matthew Southgate (England)
• -1 Jazz Janewattananond (Thailand)
• -2 Oliver Farr (Wales)

West Lancashire

• -11 Matt Wallace (England)
• -10 Matthew Jordan (England)
• -10 Kyle Barker (South Africa)
• -9 Alex Fitzpatrick (England)
• -9 Tiger Christensen (a) (Germany)

View all the Open Championship Final Qualifying scores

As the WGC - Dell Match Play took centre stage on the PGA Tour, there was still the small matter of the Corales Puntacana Championship, with a lot up for grabs in the Dominican Republic.

In an enthralling final day, it was Matt Wallace who came out on top, with the Englishman producing a classy finish to pick up his first PGA Tour title and a first win since the 2018 Made in Denmark on the DP World Tour.

Beginning the final day, it was Nicolai Hojgaard and PGA Tour rookie, Sam Stevens, who started Sunday in a share of the lead, with a number of names looking to chase them down as the duo went in search of a first PGA Tour title.

It was set to be a thrilling final round and, early doors, it was Ricky Barnes who amazingly took the lead, with the American three-under-par through his first six holes. However, Barnes is yet to win in 337 PGA Tour starts and, as the round wore on, he couldn't keep the momentum going as he finished at 14-under-par for the tournament and five shots back of the eventual winner.

That left a number of players in contention and, with the back nine left to go, there were five people within a shot of the lead, with Tyler Duncan, Wyndham Clark and Hojgaard sharing a three-way tie at the top of the leaderboard.

Soon though, it was Duncan that took the advantage. On Friday, the American was involved in a bizarre incident which saw his driver head fall off his club but, just two days later, he was leading the championship by one with just six holes remaining.

However, no-one was prepared for the charge that Wallace was about to make and, with five holes to go, he made his move, birdieing the 13th, 14th, 15th and 16th to sit two shots clear with just two holes remaining. 

A costly par save then came at the difficult par 3 17th and, after finding the fairway and then the green at the 72nd hole, he safely two-putted for par. Wallace then had to endure a nervy wait, especially when fellow European, Hojgaard, birdied the 17th to move within one.

Playing the last, it was good news, for Wallace, as Hojgaard couldn't make the crucial birdie he needed to force a playoff. As a result, the Englishman picked up his first PGA Tour title and first victory in four-and-a-half years.

There's no denying that competition can become intense, especially when you're in contention for a first PGA Tour victory. However, on Saturday evening at the Valspar Championship, that intensity perhaps got the better of Englishman, Matt Wallace, when he was seen visibly giving his caddie, Sam Bernard, a talking-to.

After firing a four-under-par round of 67 on Friday, Wallace had moved into contention for a maiden PGA Tour title. Throughout his third round, the 32-year-old was plugging away nicely, with four birdies and two bogeys on the difficult Copperhead Course at Innisbrook.

Playing the 17th though, Wallace found his third bogey of the day with a pushed drive at the last looking like another would follow suit. Finding the cart path, he elected to hit his next from it, instead of taking relief, with the Englishman catching it wrong and finishing well short of the green. This is where the argument comes in...

Walking down the fairway, it was unclear at the time, whether something was said by the caddie or Wallace but, in a 20-second clip that was posted by the Twitter page: @WagersGator, it became apparent that the two were having a war of words, although the only clear sentence that could be lip-read was “shut the f*** up”.

Thankfully, for both caddie and Wallace, he did manage to make the save for par, after he pitched from 30-yards to around five feet. This means that he sits just three shots back of leader, Adam Schenk, who is currently eight-under for the tournament.

According to NBC on-course reporter, Cara Banks, who managed to speak to Wallace as they walked to the scorer's hut, the pair had smoothed things over, with Banks stating on broadcast that: “Matt was simply frustrated with his bogey on 17 and the errant drive on 18. He was frustrated at Sam questioning whether he should take a drop before the second shot. He felt he should just play it as it lies, as he did. Sam questioning him interfered with his flow.”

After the explanation, NBC then showed the player-caddie duo laughing and hugging it out on the practice green.

Wallace does have a slight history with caddies. Back in 2019, when in contention at the BMW International Open, Wallace found the water at the very last hole in the very last round. This prompted him to berate his then caddie, Dave McNeill, with the golfer receiving some backlash for it on social media.

In 2021, Wallace featured in a viral video created by the DP World Tour called: "European Tour Golfers In Anger Management Group Therapy". In the video, Wallace is seen talking to a number of caddies who are lined up around the practice green, with the four-time DP World Tour winner uttering the words "you're a great guy. I'm sorry. It's not you, it's me".

The PGA Tour - LIV Golf drama continued this weekend and it was revealed six new players secured a PGA Tour card following Cameron Smith, Joaquin Niemann, Marc Leishman, Anirban Lahiri, Harold Varner III and Cameron Tringale teeing off in the fourth Saudi-backed series event in Boston.

Due to the six players moving to LIV Golf, it now means six new players move inside the top 125 of the FedEx Cup standings, with the English pair of Matt Wallace and Danny Willett joining Austin Smotherman, Justin Lower, Doc Redman and Kelly Kraft in qualifying for full PGA Tour cards for 2022/23. 

Back in June, at the very first LIV Golf tournament at Centurion Club, the PGA Tour announced bans for those featuring, with a statement being released as soon as the first tee shots were hit.

In the strongly worded letter from PGA Tour Commissioner, Jay Monahan, the Tour stated that LIV Golf players are "suspended or otherwise no longer eligible to participate" in PGA Tour events. They will be removed from the FedEx Cup rankings and will not be eligible for the FedEx Cup or Presidents Cup.

"These players have made their choice for their own financial-based reasons. But they can't demand the same PGA Tour membership benefits, considerations, opportunities and platforms as you," the letter reads. "That expectation disrespects you, our fans and our partners."

Along with the ban, a report by Sports Illustrated revealed that a letter has been sent to the relevant LIV golfers who haven't given up their PGA Tour memberships, with the Tour announcing that they will not be allowed to play on the circuit in 2022/23.

In the letter, which was written by Kirsten Burgess, the PGA Tour’s vice president of competition administration, it states that: “The terms of your contractual commitments to LIV Golf prohibit you from satisfying the material obligations set forth in the regulations and make clear that you have no intention to, and indeed cannot comply with these requirements of membership in the PGA Tour.

“The Tour cannot enter into a membership agreement with a player when, as here, it reasonably anticipates the player will not perform the material obligations under that agreement. Accordingly, your PGA Tour membership cannot and will not be renewed for the 2022-2023 PGA Tour season.’’

Coming into the final day, there had been questions surrounding whether Thriston Lawrence could win over 72 holes, especially after his lone DP World Tour win came at the weather-shortened Joburg Open in 2021.

Despite surrendering a three-shot lead to Matt Wallace, who was looking for his first title in over four years, the South African parred the first playoff hole to claim the Omega European Masters and a second DP World Tour title.

Speaking after his win, the 25-year-old said: "It's a privilege to be able to take this victory. There's so much history around this event and I can't wait to get my hands on that trophy.

"It's a tricky golf course and you can lose a few shots, especially around the 14th, 15th and 16th, but I was just happy with my patience around this week and I'm so happy to get this win. It's a dream come true." 

Starting the final round, it was Lawrence who began with a three shot lead over Wallace. However, through five holes, his lead had reduced to just one, as Wallace chased down the South African early on.

Two birdies on the seventh and ninth appeared to pull Wallace level with Lawrence, but the 25-year-old produced a birdie himself to keep his one stroke lead intact heading in to the back nine.

That was soon doubled at the 12th, but just two holes later it was back to one, as both Lawrence and Wallace played out a two-horse race at Crans-sur-Sierre. As the conclusion of the round was in sight, it was the South African who rued a late bogey at the 16th, as both men parred in to head to a playoff.

At the first playoff hole, both safely found the fairway, but it was advantage Lawrence after the approach shots, as the 25-year-old stuck his second shot to 20-feet while Wallace flew his on to the back edge of the green.

Up first, the Englishman's putt hit a bobble, coming up several feet short. Lawrence, on the other hand, rolled his birdie putt up to a matter of inches, as he tapped in for par and loaded a whole lot of pressure on Wallace.

Lining up his putt, the 32-year-old couldn't convert, as his attempt slid by and the trophy landed in the hands of Lawrence. Having claimed victory, Lawrence moves into the top 100 of the World Rankings for the first time, while he also moves into the top 10 of the DP World Tour standings.

Kenya Open Golf Betting Tips 2022

The DP World Tour resumes after an enforced two-week, Covid-related break with the first of three tournaments in Africa, the Magical Kenya Open at Muthaiga.

There’s nothing very magical about the field however. You have to scroll down to 73rd on the world ratings to find the 12/1 favourite Dean Burmester and only six of those tackling this 7184-yard par 71 test rank in the top hundred.

Muthaiga, just outside Nairobi, has hosted this national Open 40 times although not since 2018 before it was elevated to main-tour status. Looking at the 2017 edition there gives the clue to why Francesco Laporta is the No.1 selection this week. Aaron Rai who won that year has gone on to main-tour success and started to make a name for himself in the States, so the form looks good.

Laporta shared third place with Matt Wallace, another subsequent multiple main-tour champion, so the Italian was mixing in talented company. It is surprising he has yet to win although he shone in tip-top company at Wentworth last year when briefly threatening a BMW PGA upset.

And although he eventually subsided to sixth behind American raider Billy Horschel it was still an eye-catching effort, and not the only one in a campaign that also saw him runner-up in the Dubai Championship, fourth in the Irish and Italian Opens and seventh in the Algarve.

Those Dubai and Portuguese performances in November rounded off a year of progress for the swarthy 31-year-old, a dual Challenge Tour winner in 2019. True, Laporta has done nothing of note yet this year but this modest affair could be the scene of an overdue main-tour breakthrough and 55/1 looks more than fair.

Burmester has also struggled in the early desert skirmishes and on a visit to Pebble Beach where he missed the cut but found his game when shooting 22 under for second place in the Dimension Data at Fancourt on the Sunshine Tour.

At the prices, three other South Africans look better bets. Justin Harding is a Kenya specialist and will be disappointed this event is not being played at Karen, the other classy Nairobi club where he won last year and finished runner-up in 2019. He looked like grabbing an early 2022 victory when leading the Dubai Desert Classic field a merry dance but a Sunday 76 knocked him back to fourth place. Little fazes this laid-back character and he posted another top-ten next time out at Ras Al Khaimah.

Daniel Van Tonder won the Savannah Classic when Karen played host for a second week in Kenya last March. That was part of a superb year for him as he won four on the Sunshine circuit. He posted decent finishes at Ras Al Khaimah and should contend.

Compatriot Oliver Bekker impressed recently, making the top ten in both Ras Al Khaimah tournaments. This seven-time Sunshine Tour winner has form at Muthaiga - sixth to Lorenzo Gagli when the course was last used for a Challenge Tour event.

Of the British contingent, Marcus Armitage and Scott Jamieson look worth an interest as both played good golf in the Gulf. European Open champion Armitage’s 12th in Dubai and ninth in the Ras Al Khaimah Classic read well at this level, while Jamieson matched that with a ninth at Ras Al Khaimah and tenth in Abu Dhabi.

The problem with the Scot is that he can’t ever seem to finish the job off. It is ten years since his lone victory and when presented with a cast-iron chance in Abu Dhabi he folded like a pack of cards with a 77.

Kenya is almost a home game for Indian No. 1 Shubhankar Sharma and if he can recapture the form that took him into second place behind Thomas Pieters in Abu Dhabi or his Spanish Open third last October he will again be in the shake-up. You can go broke backing serial losers Thomas Detry and Adri Arnaus but there’s no denying they have the tools to run away with this.

Preference is for giant Pole Adrian Meronk who keeps knocking on the door and has a Muthaiga fifth from 2017 on his CV while American Johannes Veerman, a first-time winner last year, is also short-listed. But we can’t back them all!

Kenya Open Golf Betting Tips 2022

• 1.5pts each-way Francesco Laporta at 66/1 with Bet365 (5 places)
• 1.5pts each-way Justin Harding at 16/1 with Betfair (7 places)
• 1pt each-way Shubhankar Sharma at 45/1 with Bet365 (5 places)
• 1pt each-way Daniel Van Tonder at 28/1 with Bet365 (5 places)
• 0.5pt each-way Marcus Armitage at 28/1 with Bet365 (5 places)
• 0.5pt each-way Oliver Bekker at 40/1 with Bet365 (5 places)

- Arnold Palmer Invitational Golf Betting Tips 2022

Golf Betting Offers: 

New Customers Only. 18+ T&C Apply BeGambleAware

Matt Wallace What's In The Bag?

Matt Wallace had used Ping golf clubs for a very long time but signed an equipment contract with Callaway back in 2020 which, at the time, was a deal that saw him put a full bag of clubs from the brand in. However this appears to have changed at the moment. Whilst there are still some Callaway clubs in his setup, Titleist has filled others. So let's get into the specifics below...

Matt Wallace What's In The Bag?

Matt Wallace WITB: Full Specs

Driver: Titleist TSR3 (9 degrees) with Aldila Rogue Black 130 MSI 60 TX shaft

3-wood: Callaway Rogue ST Max (15 degrees) with Fujikura Ventus Red 7 X shaft

Hybrid: Callaway Apex UW (19 degrees) with Fujikura Ventus Red 9 X shaft

Irons (4-PW): Callaway Apex X Forged CB all with Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X shafts

Wedges: Titleist Vokey Design SM9 (50-08F, 54-10S), Titleist Vokey Design WedgeWorks Proto (60-A) all with Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X shafts

Putter: Scotty Cameron P5 GSS Tour Prototype

Ball: Titleist Pro V1x 2023

Apparel: J. Lindeberg

Shoes: FootJoy

Driver

Titleist TSR3

At the top of the bag he had been using the Epic Speed driver from Callaway for a while but at the moment he has opted for the Titleist TSR3 model, with nine degrees of loft and it has an Aldila Rogue Black 130 MSI 60 TX shaft.

We were big fans of the TSR3 when we got our hands on one because in testing, the numbers were extremely consistent, with the TSR3 minimizing drop offs in speed even from off-centre strikes. However, it's the playability that is the most impressive aspect, as it is the easiest driver to manipulate the flight of.

• Read our full Titleist TSR3 Driver Review

Fairways

Callaway Rogue ST Max

Again he had been using the Epic Speed three-wood as well but this has been replaced by a Callaway Rogue ST Max model. It has around 15 degrees of loft and is fitted with a Fujikura Ventus Red 7 X shaft. 

• Read our full Callaway Rogue ST Max Fairway Review

Hybrid

Callaway Apex UW

Instead of another fairway wood Wallace decides to use a hybrid and has done for some time. His Callaway Apex Pro model has been replaced recently by the Callaway Apex UW, which is a club we have noticed in a lot of Tour players bags of late. 

Phil Mickelson was involved in its development and joined other Callaway staffers in calling for a “go to” club that better players can count on from the tee, fairway, or rough. His model has 19 degrees of loft with Fujikura Ventus Red 9 X shaft.

• Read our full Callaway Apex UW Hybrid Review 

Irons

Callaway Apex X Forged CB

Interestingly Wallace had been using a combo set of irons featuring cavity backs and blades. But at the moment he opts for a full set of Callaway Apex X Forged CB's which go from four-iron down to pitching wedge. All of his irons are fitted with Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X shafts.

Wedges

Titleist Vokey SM9, Titleist Vokey WedgeWorks

Shifting to the wedges he has three Titleist Vokey models in at the moment. His first two, with 50 and 54 degrees of loft, are Vokey SM9's, whilst his 60 degree model is a Vokey Design WedgeWorks, possibly the most popular specific wedge out on Tour (it seems like everyone has this lob wedge right now). All of his wedge have Nippon N.S. Pro Modus 3 Tour 120 X shafts.

• Read our full Titleist Vokey SM9 Wedge Review

Putter

Scotty Cameron P5 GSS Tour Prototype

His final club in the bag had been an Odyssey 2-Ball Ten putter but he showed up in 2023 with a Scotty Cameron P5 GSS tour Prototype which seems to have a kind of half-moon, mid-mallet design. It does also have the thicker Two-Thumb Light grip fitted to it which has been part of Wallace's setup for a while.

Ball

Titleist Pro V1x 2023

Finally he uses a Titleist Pro V1x golf ball and it is the latest version. Wallace made the move to 2023 Pro V1x after a testing session with Fordie Pitts of Titleist Golf Ball R&D at the Honda Classic.

“Matt was looking for a bit more traj and spin in certain parts of his game and ’23 X checked those boxes,” Pitts said. “He loved the flight and overall playability and put it right in play that week after testing it. He’d never considered himself a good candidate for Pro V1x, but it’s been a great match.”

He also wears J. Lindeberg clothing and FootJoy shoes too.

• Read our full Titleist Pro V1x 2023 Golf Ball Review

We take a look at who currently coaches the English professional.

Who Is Matt Wallace's Coach?

Englishman Matt Wallace has won several times on the European Tour and given he is a regular competitor in some of the biggest tournaments in the world, we wanted to take a look at who currently coaches him.

Find out below.

Who Is Matt Wallace's Coach?

Matt Wallace is currently coached by Liam James, who we believe works as part of Robert Rock's coaching team out on Tour.

James and Wallace have been working together for several years now and appear to have a lot of trust in one another as the video below shows!

Related: Matt Wallace What's In The Bag?

As we mentioned above, James works as part of the Robert Rock Golf Academy which sees roughly 20 players out on Tour like Lee Westwood, Wade Ormsby, Matthias Schwab, Pablo Larrazabal and several others.

Rock, who helps out with Wallace on occasion, says of his coaching method;

“I don’t use Trackman, I have my own method,” he said. “Trackman is probably one of the reasons that sends players down the wrong route and stops them from playing their best golf. It’s a new piece of technology and you’re left to interpret it how you choose because it doesn’t come with a set of instructions.

“I’ve learnt to trust my own judgement of what I see and I think I’ve been around enough good players to see good golf shots, you can see them, hear them, tell people when they’re in the right frame of mind and when their swings are in order you can see it clearly. But, the game has changed and hitting it a long way is a massive part of it now.”

Related: Who Is Matt Wallace's Caddie?

We are yet to confirm if this is still the case but Wallace has worked with strength and conditioning coach Dr Steve McGregor in the past too.

McGregor is well known for his work with Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood, along with his work across a number of other sports like football, tennis and the NBA.

Speaking in 2019 Wallace said; "In the last couple of weeks I've managed to get Steve McGregor on board. He's already helped me elevate where I've got to and where I want to go to, and we've got a system and we've got a plan now. I've always planned I want to be a top-10 player in the world."

Related: 15 Things You Didn't Know About Matt Wallace

Nick Bonfield speaks to Matt Wallace to find out why lockdown was a good thing and where his impressive self-belief comes from

Matt Wallace Exclusive - "I Have No Doubt I Can Win A Major"

Matt Wallace has never been short of belief, but even someone who’s as self-assured as the Englishman isn’t immune to dips in form and frustrating spells where hard work doesn’t yield the desired results. Wallace freely admits the lockdown came at a good time, and now he’s out the other side, he’s firmly focused on adding to his four European Tour titles and competing with the game’s very best players on the PGA Tour.

“My game wasn’t where I wanted it to be before the lockdown,” says Wallace. “The break couldn’t have come at a better time for me. I was working hard but I just couldn’t see any improvements. I wasn’t hitting it how I wanted to and I wasn’t playing how I wanted to, so I needed that time off to understand what I wanted to do with my game, and I’ve gone after it.”

The lockdown didn’t just provide an opportunity to work on the physical side of the game – it allowed Wallace to reflect philosophically on the nature of top-tier professional golf and what’s required to enjoy success at the highest level.

“On the golf course, it’s all about scoring. I’ve figured that out a little bit better since lockdown. I’ve been guilty of trying to be too perfect and shoot six- and seven-unders all the time by playing perfect golf. It’s just not about that out here.

“At last year’s British Masters, it was the first week I started working with Dr Steve McGregor. I remember him saying ‘it’s not about this week, it’s about one, two, three years down the line’. I had that mindset all week until the final nine holes on Sunday, when I went back to trying to win the tournament, rather than thinking about the bigger picture. I tightened up a little bit and didn’t play the way I wanted to. I had a chance on the last and it just didn’t fall my way.

“That gave me an insight into how my mind should work. I just have to play my game and that will be enough sometimes, and sometimes it won’t, but that’s okay.”

On Harrington’s radar

His third-place finish at the 2019 British Masters was one of five top-threes last year – a good, but not great, return for a player who’s developed a happy knack of winning golf tournaments over the last few seasons. Wallace won five times in a row and six times total on the Alps Tour in 2016, before a victory at the co-sanctioned Portugal Open the following year earned him full European Tour status for the next season.

His 2018 sprung into life with a play-off victory over Andrew Johnston in March’s Hero Indian Open, before another triumph in June at the BMW International Open. At this point, his bid for a wildcard pick in Thomas Bjorn’s Ryder Cup team was picking up momentum.

His campaign built to a crescendo at the Made in Denmark – the last event before Bjorn made his selections – when the Dane watched Wallace birdie five of the final six holes to enter a four-man play-off and then go birdie-birdie to oust his peers.

It was quite a statement, but Bjorn opted for experience three days later when he picked Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia, Paul Casey and Ian Poulter for the contest at Le Golf National.

“I wouldn’t say it knocked me,” says Wallace of Bjorn’s decision. “It didn’t even surprise me, but I was really disappointed. I was more upset with myself and the fact I could have done more.”

There’s no doubt the Ryder Cup’s postponement until 2021 has benefited Wallace. He admits he “wasn’t in the running at all” after an inauspicious run in the latter half of 2019 and early 2020 – a spell he describes as his “first real setback”. He returned to form with a fourth-place finish in the Memorial at a testing Muirfield Village, but even before that, he was very much in Padraig Harrington’s thoughts.

“I got a phone call from Paddy when I was at the Travelers and he told me not to believe the Ryder Cup had been cancelled unless I heard it from him,” he says. “I remember messaging him after that and saying ‘you don’t know how much that phone call means to me’. I wasn’t in the running and I appreciated that he still had me in mind. That’s given me confidence.

“I’m hoping that if Padraig needs to use me as a wildcard pick, he knows what he’s going to get. He’s going to get that passion. And he knows he can boost my confidence by saying a few things. If I can try and knock off a win before the end of the year – even though it doesn’t count in the standings – hopefully it’ll stand me in good stead come next year.”

Wallace also believes the fact he’s been playing regularly on the PGA Tour will ultimately help when it comes to any decision about his Ryder Cup credentials. Four years ago, he was playing on the Alps Tour – European golf’s equivalent of League 1 in the football pyramid. Now, he’s a regular on one of the most lucrative and prestigious tours in world sport.

“It’s important to play against the top Americans and the best in the world week in, week out – you know the competition and you know you can potentially beat them. Now I’ve been on the PGA Tour for a while, if I play in the Ryder Cup next year, I’m ready to go. I play against these guys all the time and I’ve beaten them,” he says.

“That’s something I couldn’t have said in 2018 and it probably went against me. I use that as fire. I will make the team at some point.”

Proving he belongs

There’s no doubt Harrington was watching closely when Wallace produced his best finish in a Major Championship to date in last year’s USPGA at the fearsome Bethpage Black. Had it not been for Brooks Koepka’s brilliance in the midst of a stirring Major run, Wallace would have been right in the thick of contention on Sunday afternoon. Still, a third-place finish announced him on the world stage – a significant occurrence on both an internal and external level.

“I needed that week. I try not to look at the social media stuff and the reasons why I didn’t make the Ryder Cup and the reasons why people don’t back me, but I hadn’t done anything in a huge tournament until then.

“I came 19th the year before at the USPGA and at the time that was a great result. I don’t feel like I played amazing at Bethpage, but that course just set up really well for me. It was a grinder’s course and that’s what you need to do at all Majors – grind it out. I think that suits me. I was really happy with that performance.

“Majors aren’t like regular events in the sense you have to make loads of birdies. Bogey and double-bogey avoidance is key and you just have to pick off your birdies when you can. I’ve learned so much in the last few months and I’m excited for the hard tournaments. But I know I can still make a lot of birdies on the easier courses.”

Making birdies has never been an issue for Wallace – you don’t win ten tournaments as a professional without the ability to get on a hot streak. That said, the statistics – something Wallace and his team monitor diligently – point to areas that can be improved.

In today’s professional game, standing still equates to moving backwards and resting on your laurels is a one-way ticket to mediocrity. Wallace has no intention of doing either, and he’s very aware of what he needs to do to establish himself as a permanent fixture at the top table.

“I’ve settled on a formula that works for me – drive the ball well and putt well. I know my short game is really good statistically, but I need to improve from 150-200 yards. I don’t set goals of ‘I need to win this, I need to do that’ – I identify areas I need to improve and attack those things,” he says.

One of those areas related to his attitude and on-course behaviour. Wallace is a fiery, passionate competitor, and while those attributes can be positive if harnessed the right way, they’ve been known to spill over.

In last year’s BMW International Open, Wallace appeared to berate caddie Dave McNeilly after finding the water twice on the 72nd hole. Six weeks earlier, he received criticism for slamming his putter into Hillside’s 18th green at the British Masters, an act he described as “petulant”.

To his credit, he pledged to make strides and he appears to have done so – perhaps a product of his philosophical shift. Wallace and McNeilly split in August last year but have recently rekindled their relationship, an action that suggests growth in itself.

“I asked him what his movements were post-lockdown and he asked why. I said I’d like to give it another go and he asked me if he could think about it. A couple of weeks later, he came back and said he was on board,” he says.

“I was really happy about that. He told me he wants to caddie for someone who can win a Major, and that gives me a boost. I’ve learned from the time before. Being so on it and intense and trying to be perfect all the time just isn’t sustainable. Dave has his flaws, I have my flaws, and if we know and accept that we can move on and be good at what we’re really good at.

“It’s massive for me to have him back on the bag. We had one go, we’ve learned from that and now we’re moving forward. I really want to win a Major for Dave before he signs off somewhere down the line.”

Majors in sight

Given Wallace’s impressive career progression over the last few years, such a lofty goal now seems comfortably within the realms of possibility. It’s been quite a rise for a player who was 1,154th on the Official World Golf Ranking in February 2016 – “a nobody” in Wallace’s own words.

But he’s proved he belongs at each level: six wins on the Alps Tour, four on the European Tour and passage into the world’s top 50. The last steps that remain are winning in America, winning a Major and earning a place on the Ryder Cup team – though accomplishing the former will likely take care of the latter.

At the top level, it’s often the mind that bridges the gap between potential and success. Does pressure bring out your best or make you crumble? You could argue Wallace already answered that question at the 2018 Made In Denmark, but careers are defined by performances in Major Championships. Fortunately, he has all the tools needed to succeed.

“I think I’ve come full circle. I think I’m playing better golf than I ever have now because of everything that’s come before,” he says. “I know in my head and my heart that I have the passion, the drive and the fire to win. I have the determination and desire. I’m not going to shy away from anything.

“In five years, I want to have won a Major. There’s no doubt in my mind that I have the ability. I did have doubts a couple of years ago, but the fact I came third at the USPGA gives me confidence because I’ve seen it and done it, whereas before I couldn’t and I hadn’t. I’ve played against all the top guys and they’re incredible, but I can seriously do this. I can win a Major.”

It would take a brave man to bet against Wallace in the heat of battle. He’s a born winner and possesses an innate confidence in his own ability; the all-important elixir that explains why some wilt and some thrive in golf’s biggest events. Wallace has only played in ten Major Championships, missing five cuts, but he’s seen enough to know he’s capable of much more.

The four golfers with the most Major appearances without winning since 2002 are all English – Lee Westwood, Paul Casey, Luke Donald and Ian Poulter. Wallace doesn’t intend to have his name on a similar list come 2030.

Don;t forget to follow Golf Monthly on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

The Englishman explained why he had his caddie attend the pin on a pitch shot

Matt Wallace Responds After US Open Ridiculing

Matt Wallace was ridiculed on social media after having his caddie Dave McNeilly attend the pin on a pitch shot at the US Open that he went onto duff.

He was playing his third shot on the 643 yard par-5 12th hole and was one under par on the day at the time.

Wallace went on to bogey the hole and carded a level par 70 with five birdies and five bogeys.

CBS's Kyle Porter posted the images, calling them "amazing," which Wallace responded to saying "Wasn't that amazing, Kyle."

No Laying Up also poked fun at the shot:

Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee described it as "ass."

Watch the shot below:

The four-time European Tour winner took to social media to explain why he had his caddie attend the pin.

He said it was because he was hoping to use the slope behind the hole to roll it back and he wanted to ensure that the ball didn't hit the pin on its way past.

"Slope behind the pin, tried to exploit it and didn’t wanna hit the pin. A bit excessive, possibly. I kinda found the funny side after I hit the divot further than the ball," Wallace joked with the hashtag #chunkcity.

He also tweeted that McNeilly told him "you realise everyone is gunna talk about that now instead of your level par opening round."

WATCH: Zach Johnson holes ridiculous putt at US Open

Wallace is five back of Justin Thomas after 18 holes, with Reed and Pieters at four under and McIlroy at three under.

We continually check thousands of prices to show you the best deals. If you buy a product through our site we will earn a small commission from the retailer – a sort of automated referral fee – but our reviewers are always kept separate from this process. You can read more about how we make money in our Ethics Policy.

Watch Golf Live with NowTV

NowTV Sky Sports Pass

Watch the Golf live with NowTV. Sign up here for the Sky Sports Day Pass for £9.99 - or better yet - get the Monthly Pass in HD + 7 Day Free Trial of NowTV for £33 /month. Definitely better for your buck as a true Golf Fan.

Sky Sports

|

Day Pass - £9.99

|

Month Pass - £33/month

View Deal

Month Pass - £33/month

|

Day Pass - £9.99

|

Sky Sports

Powered by Golf Monthly

About our deals

For all the latest golf news, check the Golf Monthly website and follow our social media channels @golfmonthlymagazine on Facebook and @golfmonthly on Twitter and Instagram

We get to know blogger Chelsie Joce a little better in this piece.

Who Is Matt Wallace's Girlfriend?

A four-time winner on the European Tour, who is currently going out with Englishman Matt Wallace? Let's take a look.

Who Is Matt Wallace's Girlfriend?

Matt Wallace is going out with Chelsea Joce and the pair have been together for roughly five or so years now.

Related: Matt Wallace What's In The Bag?

Joce chronicles her and Matt's time on Tour together in a blog called Girl on Tour. Her latest post discussed the Coronavirus outbreak and how they were dealing with the pandemic;

"Following an enjoyable week in Orlando for The Arnold Palmer Invitational, we had arrived at Sawgrass with an unsettling feeling that we probably shouldn’t be there. The updates on the news from Europe were increasing in severity, and honestly, more than fear, there was a part of me that felt guilt.

"Why were we continuing as usual, when other businesses, families, nations, were suffering? Precautions were in place during the week with hand sanitiser available throughout the clubhouse and golf course. But, walking around a course I usually thoroughly enjoy, I was all too conscious of the general public; the number of people crowded together around a green, and the risks we were all naively taking."

Related: 15 Things You Didn't Know About Matt Wallace

"For Matt, he is embracing this time where his mind is completely free. He is not stressing about perfecting his performance, the details of swing improvements, the impact of results etc.

"For the first time in a while, he is learning to be relaxed in his head space, and is enjoying having time to connect with golf fans by taking part in podcasts and Instagram lives and participating in golf challenges; finding the fun in the game again."

For all the latest golf news, check the Golf Monthly website and follow our social media channels @golfmonthlymagazine on Facebook and @golfmonthly on Twitter and Instagram

The pair split last year but are back together with the goal of winning a Major

Matt Wallace Reunites With Caddie Dave McNeilly

Eagle-eyed viewers over the past few weeks will have noticed that Matt Wallace and his former caddie Dave McNeilly have reuinted.

The pair split almost a year ago after the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational after winning four European Tour titles together.

Wallace was criticised during the year for his actions towards McNeilly although he did reveal that they “hugged it out and moved on.”

The Englishman had Phil 'Wobbly' Morbey on the bag recently but told Golf Monthly that he asked McNeilly if he'd like to give it another go and he duly accepted.

The pair are now focused on winning a Major sometime in the future.

"I've got Dave back as well, which is massive for me because it feels like we had one go, we've learnt from that and now we're moving forward to win these big tournaments so I really want to win a Major for Dave before he signs off somewhere down the line," Wallace told Golf Monthly.

"I had Wobbly on the bag, Phil Morbey, he was amazing and he was really, really good over this period that when we were over here in the States playing those events but I asked Dave, I said what's his movements coming off this period of time whenever we may come back and he asked why and I said 'well I'd like for us to give it another go, I'd like to give it another shot' and he thought about it for a couple of weeks and came back and said 'yeah I want to give it a go.'

"I was really happy with that, he told me that he wants to caddie for someone who can win a Major and that just gives me a boost.

"We also have fun, we also have a good time. I've learnt from the time before and that time before came at a time where, like I said, I was trying to be perfect.

"I was trying to be so on it all the time that it's not sustainable and Dave has his flaws, I have my flaws and if we know that, if we know each other's flaws, we can accept it and then we can move on and be good at what we're really good at.

"So that's we're on towards now."

Wallace, speaking on the Golf Monthly Clubhouse Podcast this week, says he has no doubt in his ability to win Majors in the future.

"No doubt, no doubt," he said.

"I did have doubt a couple of years ago, I was like 'how am I gonna win this?'

"One of my favourite things I've heard recently is how do you build your confidence? You build confidence by seeing things, you build confidence by doing things in certain times.

"So the fact that I came third at the [2019 US] PGA gives me confidence because I've seen it that I can be in contention, whereas before I couldn't.

"When you win a tournament you see that you can win tournaments, and now I've played against these guys, I've played with Rory, I've played with everyone pretty much apart from Jason Day I think. I've played against everyone and they're amazing, they're phenomenal but I can seriously do this.

"I can win a Major."

Listen to Wallace on this week's Clubhouse Podcast [starts at 9mins] -

Matt Wallace has won four times on the European Tour and currently ranks 41st in the world.

For all the latest golf news, check the Golf Monthly website and follow our social media channels @golfmonthlymagazine on Facebook and @golfmonthly on Twitter and Instagram

We're joined by four-time European Tour winner Matt Wallace in this week's Clubhouse Podcast

Podcast: Matt Wallace - I Have No Doubt I Can Win Majors

This week we catch up with four-time European Tour winner Matt Wallace who talks life on the PGA Tour, his career so far and future goals. We also round up all the tour latest, preview the upcoming WGC and discuss whether nomad golfers should be allowed handicaps. Listen below:

Apple podcasts: Listen here Spotify: Listen here Acast: Listen here iHeartRadio: Listen here Stitcher: Listen here Deezer: Listen here TuneIn: Listen here Player FM: Listen here Podbean: Listen here

For all the latest golf news, check the Golf Monthly website and follow our social media channels @golfmonthlymagazine on Facebook and @golfmonthly on Twitter and Instagram

The Englishman has signed a deal with Callaway and has 14 of the company's products in the bag this week in Abu Dhabi

Matt Wallace Signs With Callaway

It has been a relatively slow January transfer window in the golfing world but it is starting to pick up with a couple of big deals.

Eddie Pepperell joined Ping last week and his fellow Englishman Matt Wallace has left Ping to join Callaway.

Another huge movement, in what seems like a chain with these three players, is that Sergio Garcia has left Callaway and now appears to be a free agent.

Wallace plays in this week's Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and will be using a full bag of Callaways including the new Mavrik Sub Zero driver and 3 wood.

He also has Apex Pro irons, MD5 Jaws wedges and an Odyssey putter.

It appears that he is still using a Titleist Pro V1 ball according to the Titleist website.

“I’ve been a Callaway fan since I was young, so it’s a thrill and an honour to become a member of the Callaway Tour Staff," Wallace said.

"I can’t wait to start working with Callaway’s tour team to get my new equipment dialed in for 2020.”

Tim Reed, Callaway SVP of Global Sports Marketing, added: “Matt’s a fantastic addition to the Callaway Staff.

"He’s an excellent ball-striker and putter who knows how to win.

"We can’t wait to see how high he can raise his game with the help of Callaway equipment.”

The Englishman turned pro in 2012 and has made a rapid rise through the professional ranks, winning five consecutive Alps Tour starts in 2016 to secure full-time status on the European Tour.

He has won four European Tour titles and is likely to make his Ryder Cup debut later this year.

2019 was a win-less year for him but a very successful one, with two runners-up finishes and a T3rd at the USPGA Championship.

He also reached a career-high 23rd in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Check out Wallace's new 2020 equipment setup -

Driver: Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero 9°, Rogue Silver 130 70g shaft Fairway: Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero 15°, Rogue Silver 130 70g shaft Irons: Callaway Apex Pro, Nippon 120 X flex shafts Wedges: Callaway MD5 Jaws 50°, 55°, 60°, Nippon 120 X flex shafts Putter: Odyssey Protoype

For all the latest golf news, check the Golf Monthly website and follow our social media channels @golfmonthlymagazine on Facebook and @golfmonthly on Twitter and Instagram

We take a look at where the multiple European Tour winner calls his home club.

What Is Matt Wallace's Home Club?

Englishman Matt Wallace has had a fast start to his professional career, winning four times on the European Tour and entrenching himself into the worlds top-5o golfers in the world. He has built himself up the golfing ladder through the years competing on the Alps, Challenge, European and PGA Tours, but what is his home course? We take a look here.

Wallace was born in Hillingdon, Middlesex and briefly played county golf.

Eventually he spent a year in Alabama at Jacksonville State when he was twenty years old. There he probably played Silver Lakes Golf Club which was designed by Robert Trent Jones and is used by the university golf team. It is located at the edge of the Talladega National Forest between Anniston and Gadsden and is made up of the Heartbreaker and Backbreaker Nines.

Wallace left Alabama after a year because he dropped out after making England Golf's Elite Squad.

The Englishman has since been playing at Moor Park a lot. Whilst there he has spoken about pretending to compete against the members whilst stepping onto the first tee. It was Moor Park that was the host of Wallace's match with Wayne Riley as part of Ping's successful 'Round with Radar' series on YouTube.

In terms of his current club, Wallace has recently become an ambassador for The Belfry as shown by his European Tour profile where it says his attachment club is the famous Ryder Cup course.

The announcement was made earlier this year and Wallace said; “It’s a real honour to be representing The Belfry and I’m proud to be associated with one of our country’s most iconic venues.

"The Belfry has hosted the Ryder Cup on four occasions as well as numerous European Tour tournaments and one of my first sporting memories is Tiger Woods playing here and Phillip Price beating Phil Mickelson in 2002"

Expand Matt Wallace What’s In The Bag?

Matt Wallace What’s In The Bag?

What clubs does Matt Wallace use?

Expand 15 Things You Didn’t Know About Matt Wallace

15 Things You Didn’t Know About Matt Wallace

Here are 15 things that you may not…

Expand What Is Rory McIlroy’s Home Club?

What Is Rory McIlroy’s Home Club?

The four-time Major winner began his golfing journey…

Don't forget to follow Golf Monthly on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for the latest golf news.

The pair parted ways after their T27th finish at the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational

Matt Wallace Splits With Caddie Dave McNeilly

Matt Wallace is on the lookout for a new bag man after it has emerged that he and caddie Dave McNeilly split after the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational.

The pair won four European Tour titles together in 2018 but the relationship has now ended after controversy surrounding Wallace's actions towards the Northern Irishman.

Wallace was heavily criticised across social media when he appeared to verbally abuse McNeilly during the BMW International Open.

He later said that he chatted to McNeilly about the incident straight after the round and the pair "hugged it out and moved on."

However, just a few months later the partnership has ended after Wallace phoned McNeilly up four days after the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational in Memphis.

"He was sort of regretting that he had to do it," McNeilly told BBC Sport Northern Ireland.

"There wasn't a [stated] reason but if there was a reason it would have been more like, he didn't like the way he was behaving towards me on the golf course.

"He wasn't prepared to persevere with that. The sad thing was I was prepared to persevere and I actually thought we were starting to get there, to get over that hurdle, where we were starting to work well together.

"I'm not saying, 'poor old me. I've been scapegoated'.

"You have got to take responsibility for your part in it.

"The reason why I enjoyed working for Matt Wallace was because of that fire. It's a caddie's dream to have a player who is going to give you his all.

"This just isn't all about Matt Wallace. I have to be able to learn and adapt and caddie for him.

"I have to be able to learn the right words to say to him which are not going to fan those flames and keep giving him messages which are going to keep him focused.

"And maybe an area where I wasn't so good was that I didn't set boundaries down to Matt and say, 'no, you're not going to cross a line in the sand' [in terms of losing his temper]. I was more focused on trying to make it work."

McNeilly, 67, has caddied for the likes of Nick Faldo, Nick Price and Padraig Harrington in the past.

He overcame prostate cancer in 2014 to return to Tour before his successful run with Wallace.

It remains to be seen where he goes next and who the Englishman employs.

Wallace is currently 26th in the world and 5th in the European Tour's Race to Dubai.

Expand Jason Day And Steve Williams Part Ways After Six Weeks

Jason Day And Steve Williams Part Ways After Six Weeks

The pair have worked together for six weeks…

Expand DeChambeau And Koepka Discuss Slow Play – ‘Say It To My Face’

DeChambeau And Koepka Discuss Slow Play – ‘Say It To My Face’

The pair had a chat before the final…

Expand Podcast: How Can We Stop Slow Play? + Harrington’s Tips

Podcast: How Can We Stop Slow Play? + Harrington’s Tips

We reflect on a controversial weekend where slow…

Expand Pepperell Apologises For Calling DeChambeau A “Single Minded Twit”

Pepperell Apologises For Calling DeChambeau A “Single Minded Twit”

The Englishman has apologised to the Golfing Scientist…

For all the latest golf news, check the Golf Monthly website and follow our social media channels

Cowen did not hold back on his comments regarding Matt Wallace's treatment of caddie Dave McNeilly at the BMW International Open

Pete Cowen: Matt Wallace A Complete Idiot

Matt Wallace has been paired with Tiger Woods for the opening two rounds at the 148th Open Championship in what will be two of the biggest days in the Englishman's young professional career.

However, his Open week may have been ever-so-slightly tarnished after some comments made from legendary teacher Pete Cowen.

Cowen, who currently coaches US Open champion Gary Woodland and Henrik Stenson among others, said that Wallace should receive a ban for his behaviour towards his caddie at the BMW International Open.

The four-time European Tour winner has come under fire in recent weeks after venting frustration at the British Masters where he bashed his putter on the 18th green and even more so for the incident in Germany.

The Englishman did apologise and it didn't appear to affect the strong relationship he and caddie Dave McNeilly have.

Speaking to the Times, Cowen said of Wallace, “He is a complete idiot and the European Tour has to do something about it.

“A b--------g is no good, a fine is no good.

"He needs a ban. It’s a form of cheating because you’re putting your opponent off.

"The best thing would have been if his caddie had dropped his bag — I’d have chucked it in the bloody lake — but that wouldn’t do Dave McNeilly any good.”

Related: Pete Cowen Exclusive Interview: The King of Swing

Wallace's agent Chubby Chandler has hit back at Cowen's comments.

“It’s a shame on the eve of Matt playing with Tiger at such a special event that something has come up for which Matt has already apologised and signified that he is and has been addressing,” Chandler told the Telegraph Sport.

“Matt is determined to control his emotions and has been working with Dr Steve McGregor on the issue and the pair are already confident they have made great strides, together with input from Dave.

“He’s a good kid who hasn’t smashed up markers or abused officials unlike some other players and to say he should be banned is utterly ridiculous.

"It’s funny, I remember a young player who I was on Tour with in the 70s who was renowned for his tantrums and snapping clubs. His name was Pete Cowen.”

Related: Open Championship tee times - 1st and 2nd rounds

Expand Open Championship Golf Betting Tips 2019 – Final Round

Open Championship Golf Betting Tips 2019 – Final Round

Who is going to make you some money…

Expand Golf In Ireland Is A Game Without Borders Or Prejudice

Golf In Ireland Is A Game Without Borders Or Prejudice

Born in Northern Ireland, Bill Elliott, our editor…

Expand Bets To Avoid At The Open Championship 2019

Bets To Avoid At The Open Championship 2019

Four players to cross off your list

Expand Open Championship Prize Money 2019

Open Championship Prize Money 2019

The purse has increased $250,000 on last year

For all the latest golf news, check the Golf Monthly website and follow our social media channels