Wallace hold firm in France

Matt Wallace from England (c) Agathe Séron

England’s Matt Wallace confirmed his good form and posted a 69 three under par card to keep the lead in Open International de Rebetz. France’s Baptiste Chapellan is one shot behind.

Let’s settle the scenery of the day : the play took place in a beautiful place near a small manor and buildings full of history. Although this is a charming area, it was the venue of a great battle of nerves for the actors. Alps Tour players were given a rough time all day long due to strong wind. Not Dantesque conditions but a persistent 30 km per hour wind that could drive crazy even the quietest character.

Matt Wallace admitted he had a tough round but he managed to deal with gusts and complicated pin positions to sign for 69 for -8 total.

“It tough out there today, much harder than yesterday, the pin positions, bit more windy and the greens softer but I played more consistent today than yesterday. My putting has been great all week but tee to green was much more consistent. I hit a lot more greens today. But the flags were quite tough so I just aim the greens, I did not attack them. Tomorrow, hopefully I will be out there and and play in the final group. I am really looking forward to it.”

France’s Baptiste Chapellan from Bordeaux was very satisfied with his round despite he double bogeyed his last hole the ninth.

“I trained well this winter at the new academy in Golf du Médoc. We are quite a few playing pros there and it is a good emulation to practice together. Today I played solid, I turned first nine 5 under and I struggled a little on my back nine. Unfortunately I dropped two shots on the par 3 ninth. I hit a bad tee shot in the trees, then I chipped and it rolled in the water. I had two putts and made double bogey. But overall, it was a great round reference to the weather conditions.”

The cut eventually felt at level par and the average score went from 73.09 yesterday to 74.09 today. French amateur Mathieu Decottignies-Lafon made the cut as well as Austria’s amateur Robin Goger.

From Domaine de Rebetz
Agathe Séron