Wallace in the place

Matt Wallace of England . Credit: Tristan Jones

Matt Wallace took a one shot lead after first round in Alps de Andalucia. The 25 year old Englishman scored 66, -6 on the long golf course – 6450 meters – of Novo Sancti Petri.  Spain’s Alfredo Garcia-Heradia is one shot back with 67 for the day and a pack of 5 players shot 68, -4 for third place tie.

The summer break ended this morning and many good scores for this first round near Cadiz. Players are chasing their precious spot to play Challenge Tour next year and with 8 events left to play, everyone can dream to be in the lucky 5.

Wallace’s best result this year was a podium in Egypt during winter series and he finished twice 4th this season. Often in contention, the young Englishman is only missing a trophy. He holed 6 birdies and an eagle today for two  dropped shots.

Many known names are among the players in the podium. Tom Shadbolt, Tunisian Open winner Josh Loughrey, Darius Van Driel; Spain’s Tony Ferrer and France’s Léo Lespinasse.

“The course is long for an Alps Tour course” said Lespinasse. One part is on the sea and the other part is in the middle of a pine forest. It is interesting to choose the right strategy on the tee shots to have a fare shot to the green.”

The projected cut is level par.