By Mathieu Wood
Matt Wallace said his opening round at The 152nd Open was a great platform to build on as he seeks to realise his potential as a consistent presence at the top-end of leaderboards.
The Englishman openly revealed a negative mindset and lack of self confidence was holding him back in a post-round interview after missing the cut at the Genesis Scottish Open last week.
But in a show of his calibre, the 34-year-old four-time DP World Tour winner shot a one-under-par 70 on the opening day at Royal Troon as he looks to end a near six-year wait for a victory.
“I think I get in my own way sometimes mentally, so I stop myself from allowing my game to come through because I know it's good enough, and I've shown that,” he told reporters after his encouraging start to the final Major Championship of the year.
“I think everyone can see that. But I think everyone would also agree that they see me not getting the full potential out of my game, so I need to figure that out.
“I've been on that for a few years, and it was just at that time, it was just a frustrating thing and an honest thing to say in that situation.
“I feel I can be competing for big tournaments. I haven't done that in a long time, so if I can start competing, I'll be very happy.”
Wallace said his experience in the Green Room - which was introduced earlier this year with the aim of eliciting unfiltered emotions from players - at last week's Rolex Series event provided some emotional relief.
"There was something very cathartic about it that I could get it out when I know people are going to see it," he added.
"But I've had some amazing sort of messages from it, which has been really nice. Some not so, like just get on with it, that sort of stuff, you earn millions. I wasn't earning millions last week."
On a day of wet and windy conditions in Ayrshire, Wallace shot off to a fast start with an eagle and two birdies inside his opening eight holes.
But he was most pleased with his resolve as he recovered from a triple-bogey at the ninth and a six at the par-four 13th to birdie the 16th and finish under par.
“Obviously the triple bogey on 9 doesn't help your scorecard, but I dealt with it great, and a lot of chat this week about having to deal with stuff that you don't want," he said.
“I dealt with those very well. Had that one real blip, and I didn't play the way I wanted to start off the tee, so dealt with that, as well, but to be in that position and then come into the clubhouse hitting it well down the stretch was really nice.”
