Matt Wallace has finally brought an end to his trophy drought after winning the European Masters in Switzerland.
Wallace held a four-shot lead going into the final round of the event at Crans-sur-Sierre, leading the way on 11-under.
But Spain’s Alfredo Garcia-Heredia rose the leaderboard to force Wallace into a play-off, which the latter won with a birdie on the additional 18th hole.
The Englishman has boosted his chances of a 2025 Ryder Cup spot with the win, which represents his fifth DP World Tour title and first in six years.
Wallace would have had unwanted flashbacks heading into the play-off, having lost the 2022 event in the same circumstances.
Matt Wallace and Andrew Johnston left in hysterics at the European Masters
He held on to clinch the victory, but his final-round drama certainly wasn’t limited to the play-off, with Wallace having been involved in a hilarious run-in with a rules official.
It also involved playing partner Andrew Johnston, who needed the TIO (Temporary Immovable Obstruction) rule introduced after his ball landed under a scoreboard on the par-five ninth hole.
Doing his best to explain the rules to a somewhat confused Johnston, Wallace said: “There’s two rules for this. There’s one where you take a swing from it, and then two from there.
“As in, you’d get to the nearest point, then two club lengths. So it’s the new rule. So it’s not a swing.” Wallace then asked the onlooking referee: “It’s like nearest point, right?”
The man in charge quickly interjected: “Let me do it, I’m the referee,” with Wallace simply replying “Yep” before walking away laughing.
Johnston meanwhile was left in a serious laughing fit, telling the referee: “You’re a comedian too,” with the latter then explaining the options available to the former.
Matt Wallace signals early 2025 Ryder Cup intentions
Both Wallace and Johnston were happy with their displays at the European Masters, having both gone through difficult periods.
The former is now top of the Team Europe qualifying list for next year’s event at Bethpage Black after battling through the very tricky conditions to win in Switzerland, with Wallace desperate to make the Ryder Cup team.
Johnston meanwhile left the course with plenty of emotion after finishing just one shot behind Wallace in T3, having undergone injury and form issues in recent years.
It is Wallace’s first win since the Made in Denmark in 2018, with Johnston securing his best DP World Tour finish in over four years.
Home favourite Rory McIlroy and Irish star Shane Lowry will be on the field for the next DP World Tour event, with the Irish Open set for Royal County Down later this week.
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