PUNTA CANA — Dominican Republic Matt WallaceEngland was embracing his caddie once more Sunday, not to end an argument, but to celebrate his first PGA Tour win at the Corales Puntacana Championship.
Wallace made four birdies straight down the Corales course at Puntacana, and finished with two solid pars to complete a 6-under-66.
He was on the putting course when he died. Nicolai HojgaardThe 22-year old Dane, playing on a sponsor exclusion, made a 20-foot birdie shot on the 18th. This would have forced a playoff. The Dane received a 68 for his putt that missed the low end.
Wallace, already a four time European tour winner, won at 19-under 269 to win his 80th career start on PGA Tour.
His iron play was crucial, as was his putting. For example, the 8-foot downhill birdie putt to the left on hole 15 gave him his first lead. His attitude was equally important. Wallace can be a bit hot and will often criticize himself.
He said that self-talk was very important today. “I realized at Players Championship, that out of 145 shots I hit to miss by 1, two of them I spoke to me nicely. It’s not going anywhere.
He was coming off a tie at seventh at the Valspar Championship. He is most remembered for his play on 18th off a cart track and then for an animated argument with Samuel Bernard of France for asking Wallace about the shot.
Wallace isn’t used to this, but it made for great television. Later, they were seen hugging each other. They were all positive, especially during the birdie stretch at the 13th hole.
“It’s cool. Wallace said it as he began to get tense.
The Englishman’s victory does not get him into the Masters as it was held in Texas, opposite the WGC Match Play. He is now set for the Sentry Tournament of Champions and the PGA Championship at Kapalua next year.
Hojgaard shot a long, two-putt birdie at the par-5 14th. He also made a clutch 12-foot birdie at the par-3 17th to get within one and catch Wallace. He was unable to make the putt, so he settled for second place.
Tyler Duncan(68) PGA Tour rookie Sam Stevens(69) tied for 3rd.
