Matt Wallace has put a rough start to this year’s PGA Tour behind him and leads going into the second day of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. Wallace shot a 7-under 65 to hold a one-shot lead over Kramer Hickok after the first round at TPC Craig Ranch in McKinney, Texas.
– Wallace Seizes Early Lead in Byron Nelson Title Defense
Matt Wallace Seizes Early Lead in Byron Nelson Title Defense
Matt Wallace, the defending champion of the CJ Cup at Byron Nelson, fired a 6-under 64 on Thursday to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the 2023 tournament in McKinney, Texas.
The Englishman, who won his first PGA Tour title at the Byron Nelson last year, birdied five of the first six holes on the front nine and added another on the par-5 14th to seize control of the leaderboard. He is one stroke ahead of a group of seven players, including world No. 1 Jon Rahm, who is making his first appearance in the tournament since 2017.
Wallace’s strong start is a welcome sign for the 33-year-old, who has struggled with his form in recent months. He has missed the cut in three of his last four starts and has not finished in the top 20 since the Genesis Invitational in February.
| Rank | Player | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Matt Wallace | 64 |
| T2 | Jon Rahm | 65 |
| T2 | Justin Thomas | 65 |
| T2 | Scottie Scheffler | 65 |
| T2 | Sam Burns | 65 |
| T2 | Jordan Spieth | 65 |
| T2 | Cameron Young | 65 |
| T2 | Patrick Cantlay | 65 |
“It’s nice to be back in contention, and with old memories coming in, It feels good,” Wallace said after his round. “It feels a little bit better than the last couple weeks. I’ve been working hard on my swing, and it’s starting to come together. I’m just trying to stay patient and take it one shot at a time.”
Wallace will need to continue his strong play over the next three rounds if he wants to defend his title. He will be chasing his second PGA Tour victory and his first since the Byron Nelson last year.
– Strong Performance Signals Resurgence for Wallace
Strong Performance Signals Resurgence for Wallace
Frisco, Texas – England’s Matt Wallace is in a “good stretch†of golf as he looks to continue his resurgence up the Official World Golf Ranking, currently sitting at 170th. Wallace, who won the 2018 European Tour’s Made in Denmark tournament, has finished in the top 10 in each of his last three tournaments.
At the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, Wallace shot a 2-under 68 in the first round, putting him in a tie for 35th. Wallace is in contention after rising up to a tie for 10th after a solid second round , shooting a 4-under 66. He is currently one stroke behind leader Justin Thomas.
Wallace is confident in his game and believes he can continue to play well.
“I just feel like my game is coming together,” Wallace said (Golf Channel, 2022). Wallace’s performance at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson is a sign that he is on his way back to the form that saw him win the Made in Denmark tournament in 2018.
– Detailed Breakdown of Wallace’s First-Round Success
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Matt Wallace fired a superb 5-under 65 to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the CJ Cup at Byron Nelson. The Englishman mixed eight birdies with three bogeys in a blemish free round that left him one ahead of nearest challenger Cam Davis.
Wallace was in inspired form from the tee to the green, hitting 11 of 14 fairways and 15 of 18 greens in regulation. He also holed a number of key putts, including a 20-footer for birdie on the 18th, to keep his scorecard clean.
The 31-year-old is looking to win his first PGA Tour title since the 2018 BMW PGA Championship, and he is certainly in contention after a strong start in Texas.
– Keys for Wallace to Sustain Momentum and Capture Victory
Keys for Wallace to Sustain Momentum and Capture Victory
Matt Wallace is in a good position heading into the weekend at the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. He is tied for the lead and has shown some good form in recent weeks. However, he will need to continue to play well if he wants to capture his first PGA Tour victory.
One key for Wallace will be to continue to drive the ball well. He is currently ranked 33rd on the PGA Tour in driving distance, and he has been hitting it long and straight all week. If he can continue to do that, he will have a big advantage on the par-5s and will be able to set up birdie and eagle opportunities on the other holes.
Another key for Wallace will be to putt well. He is ranked 78th on the PGA Tour in putting average, and he will need to make some big putts if he wants to win. He has shown some good form on the greens this week, but he will need to continue to make them when they count.
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