Matt Wallace (-14) firmly rules the Omega European Masters. The Englishman has combined a 62 today with the 64 from the first day and is comfortably leading the tournament, with a four-stroke advantage over his immediate pursuer, Alex Fitzpatrick (-10), without having made a single bogey in 36 holes at the Crans Sur Sierre Golf Club course.
With Wallace, truth be told, you never know, because he can make six, seven, and even nine consecutive birdies, in all ways and colours, as well as shrink and lose footing, even at the least expected moment (this year, for example, he has already missed seven cuts, a figure too high for someone who aspires to be a regular in the top 50 worldwide).
There was a time when many of us considered that sooner or later this player would make a place for himself in the European Ryder team. He was also seen as a tough match play player, with more than enough personality and courage. Were we wrong? To date, certainly. The facts are stubborn and have simply shown that this player has been unable to earn a place on the team or the trust of the captains, to include him in their choices. All this comes up because a new Ryder qualification year has just started and Wallace is in the mix from the start: he finished eighth last week at the British Masters and could well add a victory this week in Switzerland. We’ll see which version of him we find this weekend. Wallace is a player who is well above average, he earns a good living on both sides of the Atlantic, which very few are able to do, but there is always a bar of excellence, of evolution, with him, truth be told, you never know…
Alfredo García Heredia (-8) has signed a very well worked 69-stroke card today, and should be one of the candidates on the lookout, in case Wallace fails or at least stops levitating. The Asturian, co-leader after the first round, has struggled to find balance, especially with the irons and wedges, has played much of the day over par, but has reacted in the final stretch of his round to precisely reattach himself to the leading positions. And he did it in a big way. He putted for eagle on hole 15 and hit two excellent second shots on holes 17 and 18 to secure two more birdies and beat the course.
Several more Spanish players have made the cut and have room to be more than mere entertainers. Nacho Elvira (-5), for example, is not so far from the hot zone. Neither is Ángel Hidalgo (-4). In addition, Alex del Rey (-2), Lucas Vacarisas (-2), Iván Cantero (-2), as well as Sebas García (-1) and Jorge Campillo (-1), who have just made it, but will be there. Adri Arnaus, Ángel Ayora, Santi Tarrio, Manu Elvira and Miguel Ángel Jiménez have missed the cut.
