Wallace puts caddie fall-out behind him to secure first PGA Tour title

Matt Wallace produced a stunning back-nine charge to win his maiden PGA Tour title at the 80th attempt and land his first trophy in over four years.

The 32-year-old Londoner claimed a one-shot victory at the Corales Puntacana Championship in the Dominican Republic after four consecutive birdies from the 13th hole to card a six-under 66 and end on 19 under par.

Wallace, a four-time winner on the DP World Tour, most recently at the Made in Denmark in 2018, finished clear of Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard on 18 under. The Englishman was one shot behind Hojgaard heading into the final round and that gap remained as both players went out in 34, courtesy of three birdies and a bogey on their respective front nines. But Wallace then reeled off four birdies coming home, while Hojgaard was only able to manage two as he carded a closing 68.

Wallace had missed the cut in six of his previous seven PGA Tour events prior to finishing seventh at last week’s Valspar Championship, where he hit the headlines when having an on-course argument with his caddie, Sam Bernard.

He said: “Everyone knows I’m a feisty character, but that got me through in the final round. I was calm, I was determined. I kind of felt like I had it in me all week. I really felt like I was playing some really good stuff and I that I was going to be up there at the end of the week, no matter what.”

Speaking about his final round, and the mended relationship with is caddie, Wallace added: “I didn’t get off to the start I wanted but kept at it and Sam was brilliant, so positive, and the way I finished was exactly how I feel like I can play golf. That was awesome down the final few holes and I’m really proud of myself. I knew I was playing some good stuff, I just had to let it come out because that’s the hardest bit sometimes – you stop yourself from playing good golf.”

The win ensures that Wallace will retain his PGA Tour card for next season, as well as guaranteeing entry into this season’s PGA Championship and next season’s Sentry Tournament of Champions event in Hawaii.

Chart-topping singer Ellie Goulding is to headline a one-off concert being staged during the AIG Women’s Open at Walton Heath Golf Club this summer.

Following the success of similar concerts held during the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, Goulding’s set will take place after the third day’s play has finished on Saturday, August 12.

Goulding said: “I’m honoured to be the first music artist to perform at the AIG Women’s Open. The elevation of women’s sport is something I’m a huge champion of, so I can’t wait to be surrounded by inspiring women in August. I’m looking forward to seeing you all there!”

Martin Slumbers, CEO of The R&A, which stages the tournament, said: “We and our valued partners in AIG have been clear that our ambition is to elevate the AIG Women’s Open as a world-class sporting event. We have made important strides in recent years to enhance prize money, championship venues and facilities for the benefit of the world’s best women’s golfers, but we also see the spectator experience as crucial to increasing the appeal of the Championship and encouraging more fans to attend.

“Our research shows that fans would like to see live music and entertainment feature as part of their event experience and so we have developed an enhanced offering that aims to attract new and diverse audiences into attending the Championship and supporting women’s golf at the very highest level. We are excited by what we have to offer them and look forward to welcoming fans to Walton Heath this summer.”

Along with the live music, fans can expect a new look festival village, with areas given over to interactive events, Q&As with players and celebrities, a new street food market and range of fun golf-themed activities, including AR and e-sports events. There will be relaxed seating areas with big TV screens to watch the golf and other sport, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which is being held at the same time in Australia and New Zealand.

The AIG Women’s Open takes place at Walton Heath, Surrey from 9-13 August that will include the top-50 players in the Rolex Women’s World Rankings.

Tickets for the AIG Women’s Open, which is being held from August 10-13 are now on sale now. Adult tickets cost from £20, with Saturday tickets, including entry to the Ellie Goulding concert priced at £55. Children under 16 are being offered free entry on all days except Saturday when accompanied by a paying adult. Junior and youth tickets for Saturday are £20 and £40 respectively.

For tickets, visit via www.aigwomensopen.com.

Members of the London Golf Club in Kent has been offered the chance to win themselves a luxury fivenight holiday to the United Arab Emirates as a prize for a season-long series of competitions being held at the Brands Hatch-based venue.

The club has teamed up with Al Zorah Golf Club, which is located in the UAE state of Ajman, to offer the generous prize to the member who performs the best over a series of 10 competitions held at the London Club between May and November. ‘The Race to Al Zorah’ will see cash prizes awarded to the top three at each event, while the overall Order of Merit winner will be sent on a five-night holiday to the UAE with unlimited golf.

The entry fee for the tournaments is £10£15, depending on the events, which will be a mixture of Stableford and Medal competitions.

Both London Golf Club and Al Zorah are part of the Nicklaus Design network, which features 425 courses across the world designed by Jack Nicklaus’s course design firm.

Stephen Follett, London Golf Club’s chief executive, said: “Here at London Golf Club, we are always looking for ways that we can continue to enhance the member experience by offering our membership even more. ’The Race to Al Zorah’ competition and the amazing prize on offer is another example of just this, and we are grateful to Al Zorah Golf Club for their support in sponsoring our 2023 order of merit.”

Managed by Troon Golf, Al Zorah Golf Club has established itself as one of the Middle East’s best golf courses since opening in 2015. Set within a stunning natural environment, the course provides golfers with a unique golf experience with water levels shifting with the tides throughout the day.

Philip Henderson, general manager of Al Zorah, said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the London Golf Club by sponsoring The Race to Al Zorah. Good luck to all members taking part in the event and we look forward to welcoming the deserved winner and a plus one to Al Zorah Golf Club for what promises to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

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