Wallace gives Bjorn Ryder Cup headache with Made in Denmark triumph
What happened at the Made in Denmark?
Matt Wallace looks to have given Thomas Bjorn a major Ryder Cup wildcard conundrum as he claimed his fourth European Tour title after coming through a four-way English playoff at the Made in Denmark.
England’s Lee Westwood rolled back the years as he held the lead for the majority of the day, but a late wobble gave Steven Brown, Jonathan Thomson and the charging Wallace a chance coming down the closing stretch at Silkeborg Ry Golf Club.
And it was Wallace who set the clubhouse target at 19-under, making five birdies over the final six holes after falling two-over-par within the opening four holes.
Westwood, Thomson and Brown couldn’t get past Wallace’s target, so the four headed back to the 18th tee to contest a playoff.
Brown hit his approach to tap-in range, and Wallace duly matched his effort while Westwood and Thomson could only make par.
So the former two made their way back to the tee again, and this time Brown flared his approach well right of the pin, as Wallace, yet again, went pin-seeking to give himself a five-foot birdie look.
Brown’s effort came up short, and Wallace made no mistake as he rolled in his birdie for his third win this year and continue his meteoric rise in the game.
Final Made in Denmark leaderboard
The Made in Denmark is always one of the highlights on the European Tour schedule, and the event will see an increase to its prize fund from next year as it moves to May and returns to its usual Himmerland Resort home.
The move comes as a result of the BMW PGA Championship switching to September to avoid conflict with the PGA Championship which moves from August to May next year.
Talking point
The automatic eight have been locked up as Thorbjorn Olesen secured the final spot with his tie for 20th this week, but Captain Bjorn has probably been left with more questions than answers after this week.
How can you leave out a player that has won three European Tour titles in the space of six months, with one of those coming in the final week before wildcard picks are announced?
Well that’s precisely what Matt Wallace has done with his Made in Denmark triumph this week, and it will leave Bjorn scratching his head.
The four picks will be announced on Wednesday, and it would seem to be between these players: Poulter, Stenson, Garcia, Casey, Wallace, Cabrera-Bello, Pieters and Fitzpatrick.
The betting suggests that Poulter and Stenson are locks, with Casey and Garcia odds-on to make the team. Cabrera-Bello is next, closely followed by this week’s victor, Wallace.
It’s set to be a fascinating few days – who would you be picking for a wildcard to take on the USA?
Best quote
Matt Wallace:
"That grit and determination. That's what I'm all about" pic.twitter.com/fkBDX4mZEO
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 2, 2018
Best moments
WHAT A PERFORMANCE‼️
Matt Wallace birdies 10 of his last 13 holes to win the #MiD18 on the second play-off hole. pic.twitter.com/fPtAqy5rY7
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 2, 2018
✍? Birdie
✍? Birdie
✍? Par
✍? Birdie
✍? Birdie
✍? BirdieWhat a finish @MattSJWallace! Tied. pic.twitter.com/HGxjKAlhVo
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 2, 2018
⚡️???
— Ryder Cup Europe (@RyderCupEurope) September 2, 2018
Threading the needle ?#MiD18 pic.twitter.com/U8PihWY5Qx
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 2, 2018
"Be right!" ?
It was. Westy moves two clear. #MiD18 pic.twitter.com/GmbiUcsMlU
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 2, 2018
Another birdie for Fitz….
Now T4th. #MiD18 pic.twitter.com/hc4rz6n4iP
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 2, 2018
Olesen's week is over ??
T19th and the wait begins to see if he will play for #TeamEurope. Only a Matt Fitzpatrick victory can prevent him qualifying tonight. pic.twitter.com/7ANSuL7L11
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 2, 2018
Three bunkers. Three up and downs.
Westwood is 100% in sand saves this week. #MiD18 pic.twitter.com/mhEMqXiSGV
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 2, 2018
He doesn't miss many fairways.
But when he does…. pic.twitter.com/jhM7R2dbg0
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) September 2, 2018
What clubs did Wallace use to win the Made in Denmark?
Wallace ace overshadowed by commentator blunder
Matt Wallace: The road from the Alps Tour to the US Open
Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
