Byron Nelson: Matt Wallace leans on Masters contenders to jump to early lead

Like many golf fans around the world, Matt Wallace was sitting at home watching the 2024 Masters Tournament unfold from his couch.

He did not receive an invitation to Augusta National this year after missing five appearances so far this season. His best finish was a tie for 17th at the Valspar Championship.

Instead of pouting about his own poor play, Wallace focused on Scottie Scheffler, Ludwig Oberg, Max Homa and Collin Morikawa — the four players at issue Sunday. I decided to see how they approached each shot. Wallace wanted to learn from them.

“They’re so focused on their shot, they don’t care about the result or anything beyond that,” Wallace said of these players after the first round of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson.

“That’s what I’m trying to do right now. But taking care of my business and my swing is the most important part, and I’m able to do that at this point because I’m in a good position. .”

Wallace certainly got the job done Thursday at TPC Craig Ranch, posting an 8-under 64 with eight birdies and zero bogeys.

At the end of the first round, he leads Taylor Pendrith, Alex Nolen and Cheson Hadley by one stroke.

“Good. It was a really productive day. I got off to a great start. In any tournament, it’s great to start with three birdies,” Wallace said of the opening round.

“The wind started to pick up at the end, but the course is in great condition considering the rain and delays this morning. Having the ball in your hands is really important, so I drove well for the most part. Several times. I’ve had some mud on my ball in the semi-rough, which may be a little questionable, so I’ll just replenish those and focus on hitting my tee shots well over the next few days. You’ll be in good shape.”

You could say Wallace drove like Oberg, the Ryder Cup star who has impressed everyone in the golf world over the past 12 months. The young Swedish phenom drove the golf ball better than most players, which impressed Wallace. But so is his approach to every shot.

Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

“I watch Ludwig and the way he plays his game even though he’s so young. He’s a new breed that came out at the Tour and he’s just fast and very good,” added Wallace.

“I feel like he’s concentrating on his shot and looking down at us instead of at the target. He’s hitting it so well that his dispersion pattern is so tight that it’s making his swing Because I’m feeling good, my dispersion pattern is coming together and getting tighter, and I’ve seen it in practice over the last couple of weeks, and even last week on some tough holes and tough shots. Just focus on the ball.”

The strategy paid off for Wallace on Thursday. We’ll have to wait and see if I can last another 54 holes.

If that happens, Wallace will likely win his second career PGA Tour event and earn a trip to Augusta in 2025. It would be an incredible full-circle moment for the British player.

Jack Mirko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through.Be sure to check it out @_PlayingThrough Cover more golf. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko In the same way.