Matt Wallace denied victory at Scottish Championship as Tyrrell Hatton claims third at CJ Cup
Matt Wallace saw a four-stroke lead over Adrian Otaegui eradicated as the Englishman missed out on a fifth career European Tour victory at the Scottish Championship.
Wallace, who had recently dropped out of the world’s top 50 following just one top-10 finish this season, had previously carded rounds of 65, 67 and 66 but failed to maintain that momentum with a closing 71.
In contrast, the unfancied Otaegui, ranked 248th in the world, produced a stunning final round of 63 to overhaul Wallace and drop him into second place four strokes behind.
Afterwards, Wallace said: “Didn’t play well today, onwards,” but his runners-up spot still proved a timely return to form at the start of qualification for Padraig Harrington’s European Ryder Cup team.
Elsewhere, Tyrrell Hatton moved up a spot to a career-high ninth in the world with a closing-round 65 to give him a share of third place at the CJ Cup.
A week after winning the BMW PGA Championship, Hatton looked to have ruled himself out of contention with a 73 in his third round.
But his 65 put him within three shots of surprise winner Jason Kokrak ahead of fellow American Xander Schauffele.
Hatton mixed four birdies with two bogeys on the front nine before finishing with five birdies on the back nine, including on the par-five 18th at Shadow Creek.
Ian Poulter was the next best-placed Englishman in a tie for 12th nine shots back after his 68, while Rory McIlroy’s undulating form continued as he closed with a 74 following rounds of 73, 69 and 66.
