Seve Ballesteros designed the Royal Óbidos course which will host the Portugal Open

THE Open de Portugal at Royal Óbidos will return to the European Tour schedule in September. It will form an Iberian Swing along with the Andalucia and Portugal Masters.

The Portuguese Open will now become a dual ranking event when it is staged at the Seve Ballesteros-designed Royal Óbidos course, from September 17-20.

It will be the third event in the new Iberian Swing, following the Estrella Damm NA Andalucia Masters at Valderrama and the Portugal Masters.

The Portugal Open was already confirmed as part of the European Challenge Tour’s Road to Mallorca for a third consecutive year. It will now return to the European Tour for the first time since 2017.

The announcement follows the strategy of playing events on the reshaped 2020 Race to Dubai in regional clusters.

The Andalucia Masters will be played at the Spanish course in Sotogrande from September 3-6, while the Portugal Masters returns to Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, in Vilamoura, from September 10-13.

The 58th edition of the historic event will be promoted by the Portuguese Golf Federation and moves to Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort for the first time. There will also be an increased prize fund of €500,000.

First played in 1973, the tournament boasts an impressive list of winners including Sam Torrance in 1982 and 1983, Colin Montgomerie in 1989, Miguel Angel Jiménez in 2004 and Thomas Bjørn in 2010.

Wallace won in Portugal in 2017

HERTFORDSHIRE’S Matt Wallace claimed the first of his four European Tour wins the last time the Open de Portugal was part of the Race to Dubai in 2017.

It propelled the Moor Park golfer, who had been playing on the Alps Tour after turning pro, up the rankings.

The win became part of his three wins in 12 months that almost pushed him into Europe’s 2018 Ryder Cup team when he won a play-off at the Made in Denmark tournament.

Since then Australia’s Dimitrios Papadatos and Poland’s Adrian Meronk claimed their first Challenge Tour victories in Portugal, in 2018 and 2019 respectively.

Ben Cowen, the European Tour’s deputy chief operating officer, said: “In planning the reshaped 2020 Race to Dubai, part of our measured approach has been to play, where possible, in clusters in one region or territory.

“Adding the Open de Portugal at Royal Óbidos as a dual ranking event creates a three tournament ‘Iberian Swing’ for players on the European Tour, and delivers further good news for Challenge Tour members as the event remains on the Road to Mallorca for a third consecutive season.

“We are grateful to our partners at the Portuguese Golf Federation and Royal Óbidos Spa & Golf Resort for working with us to feature this event on both the Challenge Tour and European Tour.”

Portuguese Golf Federation president Miguel Franco de Sousa said: “We are very happy to secure another dual ranking Open de Portugal which moves to Royal Óbidos for the next three years.

“This region offers a variety of courses making it a very interesting golf destination in Portugal.

“We believe that Royal Óbidos, a Seve Ballesteros design, will be a good test of golf for both European and Challenge Tour players.

“This event shows our strong commitment to work closely with the European Tour in order to promote Portugal as one of the best golf destinations in the world, on one hand and, on the other, to provide playing opportunities to our playing professionals, especially in this difficult season with very few tournaments being played.”

Royal Óbidos will stage the Open de Portugal which will be a dual ranking European and Challenge Tour event as part of the new Iberian Swing, in September.

Tour returned to action in Austria

THE European Tour returned this week with the Austrian Open, the first of two dual-ranking events in Austria, followed by the Euram Bank Open.

The new six-event UK Swing follows in July and August before the action moves to Spain and Portugal.

All tournaments in the reshaped 2020 season will be governed by the Tour’s comprehensive Health Strategy, which has been developed by chief medical officer Dr Andrew Murray.

The strategy was drawn up in consultation with health care specialists Cignpost and advisers in many of the 30 countries in which the European Tour plays.

They will also be underpinned by the new ‘Golf for Good’ initiative which aims to support communities where the European Tour plays.

It rewards true heroes, such as frontline workers, and will promote the many health benefits that golf offers, the Tour said.

The post Portugal Open completes Iberian Swing and returns to European Tour in September appeared first on Golf North.

Matt Wallace spoke about his time in the England Golf Elite squad to current members – and his years struggling on the Alps Tour before winning three European Tour events

EUROPEAN Tour stars Matt Wallace and Matt Fitzpatrick have gone back to their roots to encourage, inspire and advise the next generation of English golfers.

The former England Golf graduates took part in separate online Q&A sessions with current players, coaches and staff and captivated their audiences with tales on their careers and anecdotes from life on tour.

Ex-Hertfordshire Men’s and Colts player Wallace expressed his hopes that his unconventional route to the top can inspire England Golf’s current performance squads.

Speaking from his base in Florida, World No. 43 Wallace relived his amateur days, his trials and tribulations grinding away on the Alps Tour and then his breakthrough with victory at the Portuguese Open in 2017.

Among the many questions posed were some from players such as Farnham’s England Girls international Lottie Woad, who was also a promising footballer on Southampton Ladies’ books.

Current Portuguese Amateur Champion Harry Goddard – who also plays for Hertfordshire, Wiltshire’s Scottish Amateur Strokeplay winner Jake Bolton and Yorkshire’s Ben Schmidt, the youngest-ever winner of the Brabazon Trophy at 16, nearly a year ago, also fired off questions.

Fitzpatrick – a five-time winner on the European Tour and a member of the 2016 European Ryder Cup team – was keen to stress how important it is for players to take nothing for granted.

They need to realise that hard work can be the key to success said the 2012 winner of the Selborne Salver, a competition won 12 months earlier at Hampshire’s Blackmoor GC, by Ryder Cup team-mate Andy Sullivan.

Matt Fitzpatrick talking to England Golf squad members in the online Q&A

Matt’s unconventional rise to top

WALLACE explained just why he was happy to meet the request of England performance director Nigel Edwards to speak to the rising stars of the English game.

“I feel it’s important for the players to realise there can be more than one way to reach the top,” said Wallace from the renowned Medalist Golf Club in Hobe Sound.

“I was in the England Golf set-up, but kind of on the fringes of it and always pushing for attention.

“The year prior to my involvement with England, the squad was amazing.

‘Then a number of guys turned pro at the same time – Tom Lewis, Andy Sullivan and Steven Brown included – and I came in from nowhere to the elite squad.

“I maybe didn’t feel as if I’d earned my stripes and didn’t back myself as a golfer as much as I should.

“But I gave it everything, was proud to be in the set-up and enjoyed good experiences in places such as Argentina and the Czech Republic.

“When I didn’t get picked for and England v France match and knew that my chances of Walker Cup were slim, I decided to turn pro.

“I was then grinding away on the Alps Tour for four years with people saying you can’t be that good if you are four years on the Alps Tour.”

Hallamshire GC’s Matt Fitzpatrick on his way to victory in the Selborne Salver in 2012. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG PICTURES

US Amateur win sealed Walker Cup place

FITZPATRICK enjoyed a terrific amateur career – the highlight being when he won the US Amateur Championship in 2013, just 12 months after being crowned British Boys Champion.

Victory at Boston’s Brookline Country Club – with his brother Alex on the bag – meant the Hallamshire GC member was picked for the GB&I Walker Cup team that lost heavily at Long Island’s National Golf Links of America later that month.

Alex also ended up on the losing side against the USA at Hoylake, in September.

Both brothers took up golf scholarships in America.

But Matt cut short his stay at Chicago’s NorthWestern University – where NCAA champion Luke Donald had spent four years from 1997-2001 – after just one term.

He turned pro after appearing in the 2014 US Open at Pinehurst No. 2 as the reigning US Amateur Champion.

Matt had also won the Silver Medal as the top amateur at the 2013 Open Championship at Muirfield.

Twelve months earlier he had been a member of the England Boys team.

The 25-year-old – currently No. 25 in the world rankings – admitted: “It was great to be a part of the England Golf set-up as an amateur, and I wanted to be able to give a little back in terms of advice.

“I worked with some great coaches – Steve Robinson, Graham Walker and John Jacobs among them – and the structure and focus of the England Golf sessions were great for me.

Fitzpatrick tells England’s best ‘play smart’

Matt Fitzpatrick won the Selborne Salver in 2012. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG PICTURE

“I remember my first session at Woodhall Spa when Graham told us all we were to be up for a run at 7am the next morning.

“But I liked that discipline and planning that went into every aspect of our coaching.

“The message I wanted to get across to the squads was that golf isn’t easy.

“And to remember that while you can compete at national level, there are kids in Spain, Sweden and all over the world working just as hard to make the top.”

Fitzpatrick’s “play smart” approach to golf was a theme of his session, while his thoroughness in preparation from practice round technique, physical conditioning – through to on course strategy – was strongly evident.

During a detailed and insightful interactive session, Fitzpatrick fielded plenty of questions.

England Girls’ squad member Rosie Belsham, Cornwall’s Women’s Amateur Champion Emily Toy quizzed the Sheffield star, who won his maiden pro event at Woburn, in the 2015 British Masters.

And another Selborne winner – Sussex’s Charlie Strickland – Fulford’s Charlie Thornton and Jack Brooks, from Cheshire, who was runner-up in last year’s Lytham Trophy, also posed questions.

Matt Wallace at the Hampshire Hog in 2012 – the England Elite squad member turned pro a year later but then spent several years struggling before his career took off in 2018. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG PICTURES

From Elite squad for four years struggling on Alps Tour

DURING his frank Q&A session, Wallace spoke with real honesty about the memory he had of one day sitting on the couch at his parents’ home – and reflecting on where his career was heading at the age of 24.

His friends had good jobs and houses and he was living at his parents “winning 50p on the Alps Tour.”

Having asked himself if he still wanted this sort of life aged 27, Wallace set about changing into a player “who would stop at nothing” to reach the top.

Wallace went on to win six times on the Alps Tour in 2016, including a remarkable five victories in a row.

That earned promotion to the European Challenge Tour – his breakthrough win came in the Portugal Open in May 2017, followed by three European Tour victories in 2018.

His Made in Denmark win in front of European captain Thomas Bjørn was not quite enough to gatecrash the 2018 Ryder Cup.

But it was one hell of a ride from those days of struggling on mini-tours.

Matt, who started as a junior at Batchworth Park, in Rickmansworth, said: “My dad always encouraged me to act like a sponge with information – knowing that at any time you could squeeze out things that you didn’t like or which weren’t appropriate.

“It was great to do this Q&A and I hope some of the things I said were of use to the England players.”

Wallace, who grew up in Pinner, claimed the Peter Benka Trophy at the South East Qualifier at Stoneham GC, in 2010.

He then headed to Jacksonville State University where he played for the Gamecocks – the same Alabama college where Danny Willett had spent two years on a golf scholarship before winning the English Amateur in 2007.

In 2018, he returned to Moor Park, where he was also a member and held a clinic for juniors at the Rickmansworth club’s First Degree Golf Academy.

•Tommy Fleetwood, Chris Wood, Danny Willett, Bronte Law and Meg McLaren are lined up among a host of professionals ready to pass on knowledge to England’s class of 2020, as they continue to learn during a restricted period of lockdown.

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Hertfordshire’s Matt Wallace – Callaway’s newest signing – will use the new Mavrik driver when he tees it up in this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

MATT Wallace is the second top English player to switch equipment at the start of the 2020, moving from Ping to Callaway in time for the first event in the Middle East swing.

The Moor Park member is using a full set of Callaway clubs – including the newly launched Mavrik driver – and is the latest member of the staff professional team at the American equipment giant’s Surrey-based European Tour division.

Matt, who came throught the junior ranks in Hertfordshire, playing at Rickmansworth’s Batchworth Park, before moving across the road to Moor Park, and on to Alabama’s Jacksonville State University – the same US college where Danny Willett spent two years.

Wallace is one of the rising stars of the game. The four-time winner on the European Tour is comfortably inside the world’s top 50 – currently ranked at No. 32, guaranteeing him a place in all four Majors and the four World Golf Championships.

The 29-year-old will kick-off his 2020 campaign at this week’s Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, from January 16-19, where he will immediately put the MAVRIK driver and fairway woods straight into competitive play.

The Mavrik driver features Callaway’s new Flash Face SS20 architecture, designed by AI, with a “more expansive area that delivers ultra-fast ball speeds working in conjunction with Callaway’s proven Jailbreak technology.”

Matt Wallace will use a full set of Callaway equipment in 2020

Wallace will also rely on Callaway’s new Jaws MD5 Wedges in 50, 55 and 60 degree lofts. The wedges feature the new Jaws groove and Groove-in-Groove technology, to deliver “excellent spin and control around the greens.”

Matt, who spent a year at college in the States, turned pro in 2012 having won the Peter Benka Trophy for the best individual score at the South East Qualifier, at Stoneham, two years earlier.

The golfer from Pinner has made a rapid rise through the pro ranks, winning on five consecutive Alps Tour starts in 2016 to earn his place on the European Challenge Tour.

After winning the Portugal Open early in 2017 to earn instant promtion to the European Tour then claimed three more titles in little over a year – just missing out on a Ryder Cup place in Thomas Bjorn’s team for Paris in 2018.

Wallace has also made a huge impact on the US PGA Tour, finishing tied third at the USPGA Championship at Bethpage Black, sharing 12th spot at the US Open at Pebble Beach.

He had already shown his liking for playing in the States after coming tied sixth on his debut at the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bayhill earlier that season.

Looking forward to his week in Abu Dhabi, and the new season, Wallace said: “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.

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

Tim Reed, Callaway’s senior vice-president of global sports marketing, said: “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.”

What Matt is currently testing:
Driver: Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero 9 deg, Rogue Silver 130 70g shaft
Fairway: Callaway Mavrik Sub Zero 15 deg, Rogue Silver 130 70g shaft
Irons: Callaway Apex Pro, Nippon 120 X flex shafts
Wedges: Callaway MD5 Jaws 60, 55, 50, degrees Nippon 120 X flex shafts
Putter: Odyssey protoype

•Find out more about the new Callaway Mavrik range which goes on sale in the UK at the end of January and early February click here.

•The 2020 season started well for Callaway as Branden Grace claimed the South African Open at Randpark GC, in Johannesburg – his first win since the Nebank Challenge in 2017 – and which saw him complete the South African slam by winning the Alfred Dunhill Championship, the Dimenson Data Pro Am, as well as his national open and Gary Player’s Sun City shootout.

Moor Park’s Matt Wallace is welcomed by the European Tour division of Callawway based at Chessington, in Surrey

The post New Callaway signing Matt Wallace kicks-off 2020 at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship appeared first on Golf North.

Wentworth’s Steven Brown resecued his European Tour card for 2020 by winning the Portugal Masters by a shot from South Africa’s Brandon Stone at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

SURREY’S Steven Brown overturned a three-stroke deficit to win his first European Tour title at the Portugal Masters and secured his playing rights for the 2020 season in the process.

The Wentworth member arrived in Portugal needing a top-three finish to secure his card for 2020– and started the final day in the Algarve in fourth place.

But the 2011 English Amateur Champion put the pressure on 54-hole leader Brandon Stone after the turn with a birdie on the 11th.

And a spectacular eagle on the 12th – after hitting his second shot to just four feet – would ultimately hand him his maiden European Tour victory at Vilamoura’s Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course.

Brown, who had finished tied eighth on the much tougher Le Golf National course in Paris a week ago, said: “It’s hard to put into words. It hasn’t sunk in. It was a weird day. You never know with this game.

“It’s crazy to think how well I’ve played this month and how bad the first two-thirds of the year were. I never thought this would happen – I was counting down to Tour School and getting ready for that.

“That shot I hit into 12 was probably the best shot I’ve ever hit. It couldn’t have come off more perfect,” said Brown, who was a winning member of the 2011 Walker Cup team against the USA at Royal Aberdeen.

“I saw the leaderboard at 13 and saw Justin was playing well and Brandon was still ahead of me,” added Brown, who lost a play-off to Matt Wallace in the Made in Denmark last year.

“I kept telling myself to keep going – we had holes to play. It seems like everyone fell away at the end. It went my way because I just parred in,” said Brown who was greeted by the Hertfordshire ace in the scorer’s hut after posting the clubhouse lead on 17-under, with Stone on the 18th tee.

“I’ve just had a calmness in my head the last few weeks – even today. I like the fact I had to go for it and wasn’t trying for a good result,” Brown added.

“I had to seize the chance to win the tournament. That’s the difference.

“Before I’ve thought… ‘I’m up there and had a good week, that’s great’ – this week it was do or bust.

“I can’t believe it,” said Brown, who was congratulated by Walker Cup team-mate Andy Sullivan – a former winner at Dom Pedro Victoria – spraying him with champagne, on the putting green after Stone failed to birdie the 18th hole, playing in the last group.

A gaggle of English players joined in the celebrations, including Essex’s Oliver Fisher, who had a chance of winning going into round four, plus two-time Portugal Masters winner Tom Lewis, another of the Great Britain and Ireland team that saw off the Americans eight years ago in Scotland, including PGA Tour winners Jordan Spieth, Patrick Cantlay, Harris English and Russell Henley.

Brown and Stone were tied with just five holes to play after the South African bogeyed the 13th, with the Englishman moving ahead after his rival dropped another shot at the 16th.

Brown held his nerve with par on each of his final six holes to secure his first European Tour title – his playing rights for 2020 – and his spot in the Turkish Airlines Open in a fortnight’s time.

The latest product of the Wentworth Academy programme – that includes Ross Fisher and Annabel Dimmock on the Ladies European Tour – will now play in the first of three consecutive Rolex Series events at the end of the 2019 season.

Stone shared second place with his compatriot Justin Walters – who needed a strong week to secure his playing rights for next year, which he did after moving up to 79th from 121st on the Race to Dubai rankings.

Frenchman Adrien Saddier finished fourth, while Northumberland’s Chris Paisley – another who congratulated the new champion as he was preparing for a possible first play-off in the Portugal Master’s history rounded out the top five.

Similarly to Walters, Hampshire’s Jack Singh-Brar needed a strong performance to secure his card for 2020.

The 22-year-old, who started playing for the county’s juniors while a member at Bramshaw, started the week as the last man in on the Race to Dubai in 117th place.

But, as the cut-off moved to 115th, the 2017 Walker Cup player responded with a final round of 66 to move to 109th and a share of eighth place.

Singh-Brar, who first played on the European Tour as an amateur in Russia after winning the Faldo Series in 2012, said: “I’m over the moon.

“I got off to a great start – three-under through nine – I just tried to keep pushing.

“It’s hard when you know how much is on the line, I’m just so glad to have done it,” added Singh-Brar, who played in the same Great Britain & Ireland team as fellow Hampshire junior graduates Scott Gregory and Harry Ellis, in Los Angeles.

“You wake up with thoughts racing round, even today. I knew I had to shoot a good number because there were so many people chasing me down.

“Trying to control my emotions, even coming down 18 I could barely hold the club. I struggled to get comfortable all year – hence my results. Now I feel like I can push on.”

Gregory, from Corhampton, will join Wentworth member Ellis at the second stage of the European Tour Qualifying School next week after crashing out at the halfway mark on Friday, having taken a ninth at the par four seventh, in round two, missing the cut by eight shots.

Ellis came through the first stage last month, and has produced back-to-back runner-up spots on the MENA Tour in October.

•Full results from the Portugal Masters click here.

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Tom Lewis has won the Portugal Masters twice since turning pro in 2011, and after earning his US Tour card in September, will be confident of a hat-trick. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

DEFENDING Portugal Masters champion Tom Lewis could complete a hat-trick this week as he tees it up at Dom Pedro Victoria in the Algarve, starting tomorrow (Thursday).

The Hertfordshire player won his second Portugal Masters crown last season, finishing three strokes ahead of Lucas Herbert and Oxfordshire’s Eddie Pepperell – his first victory since winning the same event seven years ago.

Lewis produced the largest 54-hole comeback of the 2018 season, sitting nine strokes behind Herbert after a level-par first round.

The ???? year old – who hails from the same Welwyn Golf Club that produced six-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo – then carded rounds of 63. 61 and 66 to reach 22-under for his second European Tour title.

Lewis, who is in great form having won a PGA Tour card by winning the Korn Ferry Tour Championship, said: “I got off to a slow start but had a really good Friday-Saturday and a great day on the last day.

“Hopefully I can get off to a faster start and not put too much pressure on myself, like I did on that Friday.

“The course suits me and the greens are really good. They’re firmer and faster – hopefully I can hole as many putts as I did last year.

“I feel like I know where the lines are, I’m confident where I know I can hit it and where my bad shots can go.

“There are a few changes out there, with a few more trees that have been planted, but they don’t come into play that much.

“You’d have to be very unlucky for those to come into play. If I hit it well and hole putts, I feel comfortable on this golf course.”

Lewis, who can now plan a world schedule with his PGA Tour card secure for 2020, might also fancy his chances of defending his crown at Dom Pedro Victoria – his Korn Ferry win came at Indiana’s Victoria National GC, in what was his first appearance on America’s equivalent to the European Challenge Tour.

Lewis’ first win at Vilamoura’s Victoria Course came in just his fourth event as a professional – he had led the 2011 Open after the first round at Royal St George’s while still an amateur.

That summer he had won the St Andrews Links Trophy – one of the top three amateur strokeplay championships in Europe – against a world-class field,

Later that summer Lewis would help Great Britain and Ireland beat the USA in the Walker Cup at Royal Aberdeen, alongside the likes of Andy Sullivan and Jack Senior and lost his singles matches against Peter Uihlein and Russell Henley, who will be

Wentworth’s Steven Brown, the English Amateur Champion in 2011, was also in that Walker Cup team with Lewis and the Surrey man needs a big week in Portugal to stand any chance of keeping his European Tour card for 2020 having flirted with the top five in the Open de France in Paris week, on Sunday, before finally finishing in a share of 11th.

Last year, Dom Pedro Victoria witnessed history as Essex’s Oliver Fisher carded the first 59 on the European Tour.

In 46 years and over 690,000 rounds of golf, no one had recorded a sub-60 score before Fisher’s 12-under par round on the par-71 Victoria Course, which was designed by the legendary Arnold Palmer.

Fisher, who was the youngest player to appear in the Walker Cup as a 16 year old in Chicago in 2005, is another big fan of the Victoria course.

“It’s always a course I like to come back to, we come back every year, it’s a nice week,” said Fisher, who hails from West Essex GC.

“The hotel is on site and everyone is in a good mood. It’s the end of the year.

“Last year I had a great round on the Friday, but a mixed week apart from that. The previous years have been similar to this year – I need a decent-enough week to secure my playing rights for next year.

“There’s a bit of an added pressure on it which means a lot. There are mixed feelings in terms of what to expect and my own goals this week.

“It’s nice to come back to a place where people are talking about something I’ve done before. It’s nice to walk around and think I’ve hit some good shots around here and had some good rounds.”

Another Hertfordshire ace – Matt Wallace – the highest-ranked player on the Official World Golf Ranking in the field this week in 29th place, will also draw on fond memories as he prepares for this week’s Portugal Masters.

The Moor Park GC member returns to the country where he won his first European Tour title three years ago – the Portugal Open at Morgado Golf Resort, also on the Algarve.

Wallace, who has since won three further titles after his Open de Portugal success in 2016, is currently fifth on the Race to Dubai rankings, and is hoping for a strong finish to the 2019 season, with just five events left to play.

Wallace, who was playing against a Hampshire team containing future Amateur Champion Scott Gregory in the South East Colts League Final eight years ago, said: “It’s playing a little differently this year.

“This morning was windy, which it can get around here. The greens are fabulous. They are fast and true. I know they’ve spent quite a bit of money on the course – it’s in great nick.

“The rough is down, but you can get some fliers. If you can hit the fairways, people will still go low.

“With Oli shooting 59 last year, people can go low. But it’s about getting it in play and hitting lots of greens – I’d expect some long putts going in this week.”

•For live scoring in the first round of the Portugal Masters, click here.

Matt Wallace was playing for Hertfordshire Colts back in 2012. Eight years on he is looking for his fourth European Tour win. Picture by ANDREW GRIFFIN / AMG PICTURES

Bjerregaard back at Vilamoura

ALSO teeing it up at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course this week are former Portugal Masters Champions Lucas Bjerregaard and 2020 Ryder Cup Captain Padraig Harrington.

Bjerregaard won his first European Tour title in Vilamoura in 2017, one year after Harrington secured his first victory in Europe in eight years when he emerged victorious in 2016

Bjerregaard, who went on to win the Alfred Dunhill Links at St Andrews last year, said: “I’ve played well here a couple of times and won a couple of years ago, so it’s nice to be back here.

“It’s a place I’ve come for six years now, with the family. They’ve enjoyed it every time we’ve been here. It’s nice to be back.

“It plays different this year. The greens are rapid, I don’t think I’ve played on greens this quick all year.

“I played nine this morning and they were super quick. The course is beautiful, it’s in amazing shape.

“The rough isn’t that thick, but you get a lot of fliers out of it. It’ll be tough to control your approach shots from there.

“It’ll be fun to see if scoring will be different with greens this quick – I thought it wasn’t as easy getting up-and-down as it has been in previous years.

“The greens are firmer too. If the wind picks up, it’ll be interesting,” added Bjerregaard.

The post Hertfordshire’s Lewis and Wallace gunning for more glory in Portugal Masters appeared first on Golf North.

Matt Wallace was playing for Hertfordshire Colts eight years ago this week… next week he returns to the Algarve for next week’s Portugal Masters, having won the Portuguese Open two years ago at Morgado. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

A STAR-studded field is set to tee it up at next week’s Portugal Masters at Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, on the Algarve.

Former World No.1 1 Martin Kaymer, 2020 Ryder Cup Captain Padraig Harrington, four-time European Tour winner Matt Wallace and 2017 Portugal Masters champion Lucas Bjerregaard have all confirmed their attendance on the Iberian peninsula.

The quartet join a field which includes a host of European Tour winners and Ryder Cup players as the 2019 season reaches its climax with just four events left to play following the Portugal Masters which takes place in Vilamoura, from October 24-27.

Wallace, who hails from Pinner, in Middlesex, has happy memories of Portugal after securing the first of his four European Tour titles at the Open de Portugal in 2017.

The Moor Park amateur, who played junior golf at nearby Batchworth Park, in Rickmansworth, helped Hertfordshire beat a Hampshire team featuring future European Tour player Scott Gregory in the South East Colts League Final, eight years ago this week.

Since then Wallace reached a career-high position of 23rd in the Official World Golf Ranking earlier this season, and is currently fourth in the Race to Dubai Rankings.

“Portugal is a very special place for me,” said Wallace who graduated via the Alps and Challenge Tours, having attended the same Jacksononville State University in Alabama as Hampshire’s Tom Robson for 12 months.

Wallace added: “Winning for the first time on the European Tour there a few years ago was huge for me, and I’m proud of how I’ve developed as a golfer since then.

“There’s still so much to play for in the last few events of the season and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Two-time Major winner Martin Kaymer is looking forward to returning to Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course after a long absence. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Kaymer, who won the US Open Championship at Whistling Straits in 2010, will make his first appearance at the Portugal Masters since 2015.

The German, who has played in four Ryder Cups, has a quartet of top-20 finishes this season and is looking to secure his place in the final three events on the 2019 Race to Dubai.

“It’s an event I’ve always enjoyed playing,” said Kaymer. “The move to October has given me the opportunity to add it to my schedule again.

“I’ve had some encouraging results this season, but it’s my goal to make the last three tournaments on the Race to Dubai, so Portugal gives me a great opportunity to take some momentum into those events.”

Harrington, who will captain Europe at Whistling Straits in next year’s Ryder Cup, won his first European Tour title in eight years when he was crowned champion at the 2016 Portugal Masters.

“I’m really looking forward to coming back to Dom Pedro Victoria,” said Harrington. “It’s a golf course which suits me, and it’s always nice to return to a venue where you have won before.

“We might be nearing the end of the season, but there’s still a lot for everyone to play for. It should be an exciting week.”

Padraig Harrington claimed the Portugal Masters title in 2016. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

Defending champion Tom Lewis, another graduate from Hertfordshire’s junior programme that produced Wallace, and Essex’s history-maker Oliver Fisher, who carded the European Tour’s first 59 at last year’s Portugal Masters, will also return to Vilamoura.

Meanwhile Ricardo Gouveia and Pedro Figueiredo will fly the flag for Portugal as the two highest-ranked players from the host country in the field.

Tickets for the Portugal Masters are available from €8 for juniors (ages 12-17), €17 for concessions and €20 for adults.

Season tickets are available for €24 for juniors, €50 for concessions and €60 for adults. To purchase tickets, click here.

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Hallamshire’s Matt Fitzpatrick produced four birdies in five holes on the back nine at Oligata GC, near Rome, to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Italian Open.
Picture by GETTY IMAGES

YORKSHIRE’S Matthew Fitzpatrick staged an impressive fightback with four birdies in his final six holes to maintain his one-shot lead going into the final round of the Italian Open.

The former Ryder Cup player bogeyed the second hole after an opening birdie and then slipped to one over par for his third round with a further bogey on the 10th hole at Rome’s Oligata GC.

But the former US Amateur Champion rallied impressively with birdies on the 13^th, 15^th, 16^th and 17^th holes to sign for a round of 68 – and preserve his one shot overnight advantage after posting 13-under.

Fitzpatrick, who grew up playing junior golf at Sheffield’s Hallamshire Golf Club, praised his caddie Billy Foster – one of the most experienced on Toru – for keeping him on track for his first win of 2019.

Fitzpatrick said: “Billy just kept talking me through it, saying just be patient.

“I said to him down the hill on 12, it didn’t feel like I should be one-over. It felt like the way my swing felt.

“I didn’t hit as many good as good shots as I would have liked around the turn, so that cost me a little bit – put me back. But to finish the way I did, was great.

“The par saves on 11 and 12 were huge. They were really, really important, and they felt really good, as well, because it’s something I’ve been working on, my short game.

“Obviously everyone is always working on something,” Fitzpatrick added, “but just to see it pay off today, particularly under the pressure was good.

“To put myself one in front going into tomorrow gives me a little bit of help, but yeah, I’m just looking forward and ready to go already.”

Fitzpatrick has finished runner-up three times so far this season and he is seeking a sixth European Tour title to extend his winning run to five consecutive seasons in the fifth event of the European Tour’s 2019 Rolex Series.

Fitzpatrick’s career has never looked back since winning the Selborne Salver as an England junior international at Blackmoor GC, in East Hampshire, in 2012.

His nearest rival is American Kurt Kitayama, a two-time winner already in 2019, who moved serenely through the field with a bogey-free round of 65 to sit one shot back on 12-under.

Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre went one shot better with a seven-under 64 as he moved into contention for another shot at a maiden European Tour title, just two years since making his Walker Cup debut in Los Angeles.

The Challenge Tour graduate has impressed in his rookie season on the European Tour, also finishing runner-up on three occasions so far.

MacIntyre played alongside Hampshire’s Scott Gregory, and Jack-Singh-Brar in the Walker Cup in Californian, and all three have ended up on the European Tour – just three years after Gregory beat the Scott in the Amateur Championship final, at Royal Porthcawl.

MacIntyre said: “That round is up there. I seem to be getting in positions and just letting it fall away.

But me and Greg have been talking about just staying in the present. Just do what we do, and today, we done that. Managed to get a good result.

“When I get too aggressive, it actually affects me. So it’s just about playing to my strengths and the course kind of suits the driver.

“So we’re just going at it this week and it seems to be working,” added the Oban golfer.

“My goal now is just trying to get my mind off trying to win. It’s about trying to get as many world ranking points as I can to try to end the season as high as possible.

“Everybody knows why they want to end the season high, but the win is irrelevant of what I’m trying to achieve.

“I’ve just got to go and play my game, and if the win comes, well, I’m sure I’ll celebrate it.”

There is no doubt though that MacIntyre desparately wants to emulate Kitayama, who came through the European Tour Qualifying School nearly a year ago, finishing third at Lumine, in Spain.

Kitayama said: “It was a good day. I missed a few greens but was able to get up-and-down and made some good putts. Playing bogey-free is always good, especially out here.

“I feel like I’ve been in pretty good control of my irons. My driver was better. Just trying to keep it in play, really, and give myself a look at the green and take advantage of those.

“This is a big event. Winning at any level, even smaller events, you still have to draw back on those memories and those situations, because the feeling is still going to be similar.

“Winning’s winning. So just go out and do the same tomorrow,” added the winner of the Mauritius and Oman Opens in 2019.

MacIntyre will start the final round two shots adrift on 11-under.

Hertfordshire’s Matt Wallace and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger share fourth place on 10-under par after both players carded rounds of 67.

Wiesberger and Kitayama are both going for their third win of the season – with Wiesberger in position to make it two Rolex Series victories in just three months.

And if the Austrian should come out on top, the first prize of €1million will raise his game yet another level in his bid to make up for lost time through last year’s injury, and his pursuit of a place in Europe’s 2020 Ryder Cup team.

Follow live scoring in Rome here.

Round three s

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Moor Park’s Matt Wallace wowed the Wentworth crowd with a brilliant seven-under 65 around the West Course in the BMW PGA Championship first round. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

MATT Wallace delighted the Wentworth crowd in the opening round of the BMW PGA Championship, as the 29-year-old carded a flawless seven-under 65 to move into a one-stroke lead.

The sun blazed down upon the pristine Wentworth Club as the prestigious championship – ushering in a new era as it moved date from May to September – welcomed a total of 19,612 fans.

Wallace, from Hertfordshire’s Moor Park Golf Club, who won three of his four European Tour titles in 2018 – but is yet to win this year – was the star of the show, on Thursday.

He opened with a birdie three at the first before a stunning eagle-birdie-birdie run from the fourth hole saw him reach the turn in five-under.

Wallace, who started life as a junior at Batchworth Park, not from the Ricksmanworth club he now represents as a tour pro, said: “I’m very happy.

“Whenever you can get off to a start like that, it boosts your confidence and I’m just going on from last week really.

“I said to my caddie Smarty when we were walking to the first tee, let’s keep the same focus as how we ended last week – just carry it on,” added Wallace, who has Jonathan Smart – the caddy who was on Danny Willett’s bag when he won Green Jacket at the 2016 Augusta Masters – on the bag after a public spat that led to Matt’s break-up with Dave McNeilly last month.

“It’s very nice and pleasing to shoot that around here,” said Wallace. “I’m always grinding, working on trying to figure it out and get better.

“It’s the biggest event for me now, my home event. I’ve played the course plenty of times before coming into this week, and I feel comfortable.

“It always helps when your game’s in shape, as well.”

The Londoner cruised home with a couple more birdies to move to the top, ahead of Spain’s Jon Rahm and Swede Henrik Stenson on six-under, while their 2018 Ryder Cup-winning team-mate Justin Rose, was a shot further back after a five-under 67.

Hampshire ace Rose, who grew up just down the A30 at Hook, and would race home from watching the PGA at Wentworth to practice at his North Hants GC in the 1990s, was pleased to be back home with the new September slot.

Rose said: “It’s brilliant. It’s such a bonus with the weather, as well.

“Everyone is enjoying being outside. It’s almost nicer than summer. It’s got that nice crispness in the air as well, and the golf course – I’ve never seen it better.

“I think it’s really settled after all the changes through the years they have made, I think they have found their feet.

“My short game was I think what kept me in it. A couple of key saves when I missed the greens, I kept my up-and-downs going and played the par -fives well.”

Three-time Rolex winner Rahm, who was striking the ball superbly in practice, said: “I enjoy the Rolex Series events.

“I really don’t know what it is, if it’s coincidence or just the quality of people and players out here that make me want to play better,” said the Spaniard who claimed his third Rolex when winning the Irish Open in July.

“But at the same time, it’s also the history of those events in a place like this – there’s a lot of golf history and it’s really fun to be around.

“You need to pick your battles on this course. You definitely need to be swinging good. Any little mistake you’re going to pay for it.”

Stenson has posted several good finishes around the West Course without getting his hands on the big prize, said: “The greens are probably as good as I’ve ever seen them.

“So it’s been good for the golf course and the conditions to move into a later date, no question.

“It’s always hit and miss in May in mainland Europe to have perfect conditions. The guys have done a great job with the course, the greens are very nice.

“Looking back at my career, I don’t think I’ve been having too many wins and too many really good finishes when I haven’t started with a decent round or better. It sets up the week nicely and I just hope I can continue with that.”

Defending champion Francesco Molinari was also happy to be back in Surrey’s Virginia Water on the Burma Road.

“It’s been a great feeling coming back because it’s the tournament that kind of kick-started my great run last year.

“You come back here and you feel how different the last few months has been. It’s been more than a year, as well, so it’s been quite a long time.

“It was maybe more up-and-down than I would like but I managed to fight hard and the short game was good enough to keep me in the round – and nice birdie to finish at the last.”

•For live scoring from the second round at Wentworth click here.

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Matt Wallace playing in the Hampshire Hog at North Hants GC, in 2012

MATT Wallace claimed the glory and risked the curse of claiming the Par Three competition at Augusta – beating Sandy Lyle in a play-off on Wednesday.

The Scot was, of course, the first Brit to win the Masters back in 1988 – but in 57 years since it was introduced and won by legendary Sam Snead, none of the Par Three winners have gone on to wear the Green Jacket four days later.

Wallace’s dream start to his Masters debut began with Sky Sports driving him down the famous Magnolia Lane on Sunday, amid grey skies and showers that reminded the 28-year-old from Hertfordshire of home.

And the little boy who started out playing at Batchworth Park, who grew into one of Europe’s most ferocious closers with three wins on the European Tour in a year in 2018, has been tapping into those Hertfordshire connections as he prepares for today’s tee time with 1985 winner Bernhard Langer and Latin American Amateur Champion Alvaro Ortiz, at 5.10pm UK time.

You cannot get a better boost in your preparations to help cope with the lightning fast, sloping greens than three-time Masters winner Sir Nick Faldo, who was raised at Welywn Garden City, having only taken the game up himself as a teenager.

Faldo has always said it was watching the Masters on TV in 1971 that inspired him to taking up golf after his parents bought a new colour TV.

Wallace, who was a member at Moor Park playing for Hertfordshire a decade ago before heading off to Alabama where he spent four years at Jacksonsville State University, shortly after a certain Danny Willett had been a member of the Gamecocks team.

And it was Willett, as well as Faldo that Wallace turned to for an inside track on Augusta’s hallowed holes.

Matt said: “I’ve spent the past few days tapping into the knowledge of those who have won at Augusta, from practice rounds with Sir Nick Faldo, to playing the Par Three event with Danny Willett.

“When Danny won the Masters in 2016, not many people fancied him to do it but he was in the top 10 of strokes gained in approach play, so statistically he should have been among the favourites.

“I chatted to Danny about it and we talked again yesterday as I tried to get as much information as I can.

“It clearly worked as I won the Par Three thanks to that hole-in-one on the eighth. The event is such a cool tradition but it’s done now and my mind’s on round one.

“Being at Augusta is what you dream about. I remember trying to get tickets in the ballot with my dad, we missed out and I always thought that was my chance gone of being here in any capacity.

“But driving up Magnolia Lane for the first time in the rain on Sunday, I was just speechless.

“It was so much better than I could ever have imagined and, by Amen Corner, I was playing in pure sunshine, and this place is beautiful.

“It’s crazy for me. I’m just Matt Wallace from Pinner and here I am, and the mad thing is that I deserve to be here.”

Wallace, who was playing in the Selborne Salver and Hampshire Hog as an amateur just seven years ago this month, admitted that even playing with a hero like Sir Nick Faldo, he found it hard not to play very intensely.

But the kind of bubble the top players need to be immersed in shone through from some wise words from “The Master.”

Matt revealed his hero explained what happened when the defending champion – after his famous head-to-head with Greg Norman, who lost a six-shot lead to Faldo in 1996 – played with Tiger Woods in 1997.

The future World No. 1 eventually won the tournament by 12 shots and started his domination of the game of golf for the next decade.

Faldo said he never watched the young Tiger who opened with 40 on the front nine, on the Thursday, hit a shot until the 12^th hole when he played a chip shot on his way to shooting 30 on the back nine before finally ending up on 18-under before having Sir Nick hang that famous jacket around his shoulders.

Matt, who won six times on the Alps Tour in 2016, realises he needs to be equally solely focused on his own game for his Masters debut.

The winner of last year’s Made in Denmark when he was trying to force Ryder Cup captain Thomas Bjorn to consider giving Wallace a wildcard, said: “You have to think that whoever you play with, however big the name, they don’t care about me so I can’t care about them. As bad as it might sound, that’s the reality.”

The other major lesson learned from Faldo is approach play will be key around Augusta National Golf Club.

Matt added: “The first port of call is to get the ball in the middle of the fairway, and that suits my game.

“Drive the ball well and you have chances to hit the positions you want to.”

Wallace also has one of Faldo’s old caddies on the bag – Belfast’s Dave McNeily, who also caddied for Nick Price, Retief Goosen and Padraig Harrington.

Matt, who has been relaxing in the evenings with his favourite foods at a big house in the company of his manager Chubby Chandler, said: “The key is to feel relaxed and I’ve got my team with me and my girlfriend, Chelsie, who caddied for me in the Par Three event.

“I’m 36th in the world, I’m here by right, and I believe I have as good a chance as anyone.

“This is the one I want to win, growing up it was always the Green Jacket and The Open.”

The post Wallace picks Faldo’s brain at Augusta then wins Masters Par 3 appeared first on Golf North.

Denmark’s Lucas Bjerrregard overcame Hertfordshire’s Matt Wallace to reach the last 32 of the WGC-Dell Technologies World Match Play, at Austin Country Club. Picture by GETTY IMAGES

A RECORD-breaking eight Europeans progressed to the last 32 at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play after another fascinating day at Austin Country Club.

Denmark’s Lucas Bjerregaard was the only debutant in the field to top his group – setting up a clash against fellow Scandinavian Henrik Stenson.

Bjerregard’s match with England’s Matt Wallace went all the way to the 18^th hole, but the 27 year old battled to a one up victory to join nine other European Tour members in the final 16.

The Great Dane, who won the 2018 Alfred Dunhill Links at St Andrews, revealed: “I had not seen anything from Justin’s match.

“My caddie is the one who told me when I missed the one on 18 that he had halved. I just knew that I had to win. It’s been a couple of stressful days but I’m happy to come out and go through.

“It should be fun. I like Henrik. I don’t think I’ve ever played with him, actually. But it should be fun.

“And he’s obviously been playing well too. So we should have a good game, and I’ll tease him a little. We’ll have a little bit of Swedish-Danish thing going on.”

Stenson, meanwhile, beat 2020 Ryder Cup Captain Jim Furyk 5&4 to make it three successive victories.

The Swede, who won the WGC World Match Play back in 2007, said: “That’s the best round of golf I’ve played all year for certain. I’m very pleased to put it together.

“It was called the group of death and I guess I managed to bring it to the other guys. It was always going to be a tough group.

“I think that was really inspiring on my end, being up against such great players. I just happened to bring my best game.

“I’m trying to keep expectations low. I haven’t had a great start to the year. I’ve been working hard to try to get it to the right place.

“Certainly today I had some beautiful iron shots. I think I hit it within a foot four times on my approaches, which is good on any day anywhere.

“So I’m very pleased with that and just trying to take it one day, one match at a time.”

The 2018 Race to Dubai Champion Francesco Molinari also retained his 100 per cent record with a 2&1 triumph over Webb Simpson, as did Branden Grace.

The South African overcame Chez Reavie 2&1 to set up a showdown with Ryder Cup legend Sergio Garcia, who progressed despite a 2&1 defeat to Patrick Reed.

Garcia, whose best finish in the WGC event was fourth back in 2010, despite his enviable Ryder Cup pedigree, said: “Obviously that was the goal, to get through.

“In the perfect world, I would have loved to win today and I probably had my chances to do it.

“But you also have to give credit to Patrick, he played really well, mainly the back nine. He shot five-under in eight holes.

“So when someone does that to you and you don’t take a couple of chances that you had, it’s going to be difficult.

“But we’re through tomorrow. That’s the main thing on this round-robin thing. And now tomorrow it’s a brand new tournament.”

The first day of the knockout stages has thrown up numerous mouth-watering matches in Texas, with Molinari taking on his 2018 Ryder Cup team-mate Paul Casey – who beat Cameron Smith 4&3 to top his group – while Hampshire’s World No. 2 Justin Rose ground out a victory by one hole over Gary Woodland to remain unbeaten.

He will face Kevin Na in the first knockout stage.

Surrey-raised Casey, looking to win back-to-back titles and his first WGC belt said: “I’ve got to think I had a little bit of luck there with Cam three-putting right there.

“But I feel really good about the game. The only thing I’m trying to do is save the energy, because the win last week at Valspar, that was hard work on Sunday.

“It took a lot out of us. Johnny and I were really tired Monday and Tuesday. I guess the key is play as few holes as possible, I’m just trying to do that.”

Rose, last year’s Fed Ex Champion, said: “I was delighted to get through that match. It wasn’t really pretty, to be honest with you.

“I think I classed it as a pillow fight and then turned into a bit of a dogfight to the end.

“Gary actually played pure off the tee, especially. I think he let me in a little on the front nine.

“I felt like he could be two or three-up on me early, but fortunately I think I went one-up through eight.

“So that was the key moment in the match, about six, seven, eight – just really keeping myself in it or being let back into the match.

“And then I got a little bit of momentum up, and birdieing 12 and 13 got me two-up.

“At that point I was just trying to get it into the clubhouse and get through.

“Kevin is a gritty player. I think this golf course is his type of golf course. Length is not a big deal here. He’s got a great short game.

“He can walk putts in with the best of them. So I’m going to need to find something a little bit better than what I had today.”

China’s Haotong Li overcame Sweden’s Alex Noren in a play-off to squeeze through and he will come up against last year’s runner-up Kevin Kisner, who beat Ian Poulter on the third play-off hole to win his group.

Harleyford’s Tyrrell Hatton beat his English compatriot Lee Westwood 3&1 and he will face Matt Kuchar in the Round of 16, while Louis Oosthuizen triumphed over 2017 European Tour No. 1 Tommy Fleetwood to set up a clash with Marc Leishman.

All eyes in Texas though, are likely to be on the 8:30am match which pitches World No. 4 Rory McIlroy against 14-time Major champion Tiger Woods.

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