Wallace set the pace

Matt Wallace confirmed his good form after great week on Challenge Tour in Egypt, he signed for 67 on El Kantaoui golf course to lead by one the Tunisian Open. At second place tie, England’s Andrew Jones and France’s Amaury Rosaye. Then a group of 6 players are one shot back with -3.

It was a fresh windy opening round compare to the beginning of the week. The temperature was not over 21° and clouds and wind alternated with sun during all day. The best score of the morning session was -3. French rookie Victor Perez was th first to record a 69 today.

«  I played really solid during my first eight holes, from the 10th, I holed for birdie on the 11^th, 14^th and 15^th. I dropped one shot on the 18^th, my tee shot was really poor. Then I had ups and downs on the back nine. But I chipped very well. I only had 28 putts it helps to sign for decent score. »

With same score, fellow countryman Xavier Poncelet and a flawless card with 3 birdies on three pars 5. David Borda build his 3 under par card thanks to his driver, he hit 11 fairways out of 14. Last man to join the lead at the end of the morning session was England’s Ben Wheeler. Thomas Elissalde and David Morago played in the afternoon groups.

Amaury Rosaye hold the club house lead for a while with first 68 of the day.

« I had a shy beginning, I was playing well but I did not hole any putt. I did not make big mistakes. I dropped one shot on the sixth but I deserved it. I saved a good par on the seventh and I hit a great 4 iron on par 3 eight, 3 meters, but I missed. I was level par and it looked like my practice round when I did not hole any putt. I was patient And eventually I holed really good putts on back nine. »

Wallace is one of the best player of the Alps Tour. He recorded many podiums last year an eventually had his maiden win in Egypt in February. He finished 26^th in Egyptian Challenge last week.

« I had a really good start on the front nine, I just didn’t convert anything. And I had chances on the first 3 holes and I made bogey on fourth so one over after nine I was quite disappointed because I played so well. But I stayed patient and I got through 6, 7 and 8 played down really nicely, I had a chance of birdie and I missed it and I missed 5 meters on the ninth but I kept on the back nine. I almost holed my second shot on 10^th for eagle an then made eagle on the 11^th and that really got me going.
I changed my coach in December because I lost some many chances last year to win and I just couldn’t get it done so I had to change. I have a coach now who had improved my mechanics and the technical stuffs I need to work on and I have been working really hard so I am really happy with that . I will try to keep it up. It is a long way to go as it is a four round tournament. »

At El Kantaoui
Agathe Séron