Essential Golf: A passion for the Game

Matt Wallace, Player to Watch

Matt Wallace is a force to be reckoned with and when you consider that he has gone from a 2016 rank of 224th to the current 29th you’ll get an idea of how well he has played over the past three years.

Having just finished the DP World Tour Championship in 28th place Wallace has described his performance this year as having had moments of good with patches of not so great; he is aware that whatever comes next year he will need to push himself further than ever before. 2019 has been hugely eventful for him and getting to play with Tiger Woods must have had a real highlight when he takes the time to stop and reflect on the year gone past.

This year started with achieving second place in the Dubai Desert Classic, moved on to a T3 in the PGA TOUR Championship in Bethpage Black and also enjoyed a T2 at the British Masters. But it seems that these results, whilst good, weren’t good enough for a man that is his own biggest critic.

He now has a total of 10 professional wins under his belt and seems pretty determined to come back for more in 2020, stating that he wants to get the sensation of winning back and take as many trophies home as is possible. It’s this level of determination that will help him to move up from 29th to higher in the rankings.

However, Matt Wallace was unable to duck criticism when back in June 2019 he faced an onslaught of disgusted fans when he lost his temper and became abusive towards his caddie on the course. Dave McNeilly has since spoken out to say that he bears no ill will towards Wallace but the pair have spilt ways. When you consider McNeilly’s previous pros, Nick Faldo, Padraig Harrington and Nick Pride, it’s a shock that the pair couldn’t work more harmoniously together but they seem to have parted ways amicably and Wallace is now working with Jonathan Smart.

When you look back on his golf career, Wallace has come a long way from his Jacksonville State University days where he won the OVC Freshman of the Year and proudly held the university record for the lowest round. Since then he has been determined to offer the best of himself to the game and this has earned him a loyal fan base, great rankings and sponsors that believe him to be worthy of their cash.

Professional Wins – European Tour & Alps Tour

  • February 23, 2016 – Dreamlands Pyramid Open
  • May 1, 2016 – Tunisian Golf Open
  • May 8, 2016 – Gösser Open
  • May 21, 2016 – Vigevano Open
  • July 2, 2016 – Open Frassanelle
  • October 23, 2016 – Alps Tour Grand Final
  • May 14, 2017 – Open de Portugal
  • March 11, 2018 – Hero Indian Open
  • June 24, 2018 – BMW International Open
  • September 2, 2018 – Made in Denmark

Personal Life

Matt Wallace comes from a sporty family with both parents being PE teachers and left Aldenham School back in 2008. He later went on to join Jacksonville State University but left after a year as he was selected for the England Golf Squad, a decision that he has no reason to regret! His father has also experienced elite sports and played for the Wasps many years ago.

Wallace’s long term partner, Chelsie Joce has been a rock of support over the past four years and she even documents their travels and life together on a blog called ‘Girl on Tour’. Her blogs share insight into their daily lives and the pressures that travelling all over the world brings to their relationship. She is open about not knowing much about golf prior to meeting Wallace but seems to have become a real font of knowledge and is well received when she goes to events with him.

Wallace is a huge football fan and openly supports Manchester United, using the mascot’s head as a club cover when he is playing. But it is not just golf and football that he loves; Wallace is also a keen rugby fan and his best friend is England’s Ben Spencer. The pair are so close that Wallace is currently focused on organising a stag do for his partner in crime before he gets married next year.

Matt Wallace

Full name: Matt Wallace
Born: April 12, 1990
Hometown: Hillingdon, England
Turned pro: 2012

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