22nd October 2016 | Alps Tour Golf
Wallace to enter Alps Tour Hall of Fame
Matt Wallace wrote the most amazing story in the 15 year Alps Tour history. The 26 year old Englishman won the Grand Final by AXA by one shot in front of Richard Jouven, thanks to closing 68, his sixth title this season and won the Order of Merit with almost twice as many points as the second Federico Maccario.
Some people could say, the circuit is too easy for him. What a lack of knowledge… Wallace is strong, very strong but he had played 3 full seasons on the Alps Tour before he became the genius on course in 2016. Whatever the circuit, 6 wins is an outrageous record.
He entered 9 events this season and his worst result was a 4th place. He won 6 times and 5 titles in a raw. His family were there for the Grand Final, he really wanted to win in front of them, for sure he learned to play with some pressure.
“It has been hard because I knew everybody will attack from all guys looking for the Challenge Tour card. And my objective was to win the tournament indeed. This was the most difficult victory of the year.”
Many players explained, once they leave the Alps Tour that they will never forget its atmosphere. Wallace has the same feeling, the Alps Tour is special.
“The Alps Tour will remain in my memory forever. For the friends I met, for the countries I visited. I played on the European Tour, on the Challenge Tour but I never experienced such an atmosphere.”
He will play at least on Challenge Tour next year, as the 4 players who secured their card today, Italy’s Enrico Di Nitto and Federico Maccario, England’s Tom Shadbolt and France’s Victor Perez.
A sixth man, Franck Daux, is on the wrong side of the cut by less than 25 points/€ but reference to the level of game of the five men in front of him, he can really hope than one of them will make the cut at the Final Q School of European Tour to get his card. Matthieu Pavon was in the same position last year and is about to finish top 15 on Challenge Tour.
Time to let the curtain falls on a enthralling year, catch up with you for the Q School in December.
20th October 2016 | Alps Tour Golf
Morago takes half way lead in Miglianico
Spain’s David Morago took half way lead of the Grand Final presented by Axa. The 23 year old player added a 67 to his opening 65 to have one shot advantage at -10 over a pack of five players including overnight leader, Matt Wallace.
The latter had a shy day compare to his first round, he only signed for 70 although many players shot under 70.
Morago’s best results this season is a second place in Open de Saint François Guadeloupe and a podium in Frassanelle Open, both in June.
France’s rookies Richard Jouven and Alex Daydou, 66 and 65, admitted they could count on their putting.
« I tried to be aggressive when I could but what makes a difference between and solid day and a very good day is the putting », said Daydou.
« I had a slow start as I turn first nine level par but from the 10th to the 13th, I made three birdies and a good par on 11th so it kind of launched me. » Jouven explained.
England’s big hitter Andrew Cooley and Spain’s David Borda are among the group tie for second place. Cooley fired score of the day 63 and came back to the club house in 29.
22nd February 2016 | Alps Tour Golf
Wallace in the race… Again! Richard Jouven co-leader
England’s Matt Wallace will play in last group for the second week in a row. He leads the Dreamland Pyramids Open 2016 with -5 total alongside French rookie Richard Jouven. A group of 3 players are two shots back, France’s Antoine Schwartz, David Carey of Ireland and England’s Andrew Jones.
The weather conditions were, once again, difficult. The wind was strong all day long and the temperature not as expected in this part of the world. The cut felt at +6, the second highest on Alps Tour for many years. It had been +7 once in Haut Poitou due to strong winds as well.
Wallace has another chance to grave his name on a trophy, the first in his career. He will have to fight again another Frenchman. Last week it was Franck Daux, tomorrow, Richard Jouven and his ultra experimented caddy Jude, previously on Henrik’s Stenson bag among other famous names. Wallace carded a second card level par after his opening 67 round. Jouven scored a second card under par, 69 to add to his first 70.
But the leaders’ bigger threat could come from their own country. Andrew Jones, playing only his second Alps Tour event, is on his toes. Jones had finished on the podium last week thanks to best score tie, -9. The man knows how to shoot low. Antoine Schwartz of France won in Egypt in January and is currently leading another european satellite tour.
