Moor Park professional Matt Wallace finishes in a tie for third at Volvo China Open

The Moor Park professional had gone into the final round in a share of the lead with Adrian Otaegui on 12-under-par. Although Wallace was to card a four-under 68, it wasn’t enough as Sweden’s Alexander Bjork fired a 65 to claim his maiden European Tour win by one shot on 18-under. Otaegui finished second, with Wallace in a share of third alongside Jordan Smith and Jorge Campillo, sealing his seventh top-10 finish in less than a year as a European Tour professional.

The 28-year-old would have been looking to make a positive start and he did exactly that what a birdie three on the first, only for his progress to be abruptly stalled by a double bogey seven at the fifth. It was to prove a costly hole.

Wallace didn’t let the setback derail his round as he clawed back those two dropped shots with a birdie three at the fifth and a four at the par five eighth, only to drop back to level par for his round with a bogey five at the 10th.

The Pinner-based player once again showed his battling qualities on the back nine, with back-to-back birdies at the par four 11th and par five 12th, a three at the par four 15th and a fourth birdie on the back nine at the par four 17th meant he needed to eagle 18 to force a play-off with Bjork.

A fine drive gave set up a chance and Wallace’s second shot looked on the line with the flag in a difficult position on the par five hole, only for the ball to bounce through and off the back of the green.

Wallace’s title challenge was to end when he left his chip short of the flag; his hopes of finishing in a share of second also being dashed when he rolled his putt past the hole before he tapped home for par.

The tie for third has moved the Moor Park professional up to 17th in the Race to Dubai standings and he will now return home to team up with Eddie Pepperell and represent England at next weekend’s GolfSixes event at Centurion Club, near St Albans.