CRans-MONTANA, Switzerland – After injuries and mental health issues, Andrew “Beef” Johnston — one of golf’s most beloved players — may be back as a force after finishing third in the European Masters, which was won by England’s Matt Wallace. playoff game on Sunday.
Wallace holed an 8-foot birdie putt on No. 18 to defeat Spain’s Alfredo Garcia-Heredia on the first playoff hole and win his fifth European Tour event — and his first in six years.
The story of the week in the Swiss Alps, however, may be the resurgence of Johnston, who established himself as one of the sport’s biggest stars in his breakthrough year in 2016 when he won the Open de Espana and finished eighth. the Open Championship.
At the time, he was a career-best No. 74 in the rankings but was as low as No. 2,055 in the last three months. Johnston admitted he struggled to cope with his newfound fame and was plagued by mental health issues, while a series of injuries — particularly to his thumb and back — set him back.
Johnston, who started his own YouTube channel in 2022, has started to recover this summer and a 4-under 66 in the final round left him trailing Wallace (70) and Garcia-Heredia (66), who were 11 years old. -less than average at the excellent Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club.
“It’s a huge relief,” Johnston said, fighting back tears. “It’s been a tough couple of years. To do well for four days, it’s been good.”
Wallace and Garcia-Heredia went into a playoff after the Spaniard made birdie from 5 feet on the 72nd hole, but Wallace — the overnight leader by four shots — held on in the playoff.
From the middle of the fairway, the 91st-ranked Wallace hit his way well inside his opponent and returned it to 8 feet. After Garcia-Heredia’s birdie putt went too far, Wallace rolled in his attempt and let out a loud noise.
“That was a tough day,” said Wallace, who was also on the verge of tears.
Wallace’s best form came in 2018 when he won three times in six months, but now he feels he has returned to the kind of form to enter the European Ryder Cup team for next year’s games at Bethpage Black. The degree program started last week.
“Ryder Cup, let’s go,” said Wallace.
Source link
