Matt Wallace may be resigned to miss out on the Ryder Cup, but he returns to the Omega European Masters “proud” ahead of his title defence in the Swiss mountains.
The Englishman made a strong start to Team Europe’s qualification campaign, including victory at Crans-sur-Sierre GC almost 12 months ago, but dips in form meant he finished 12th in the year-long standings after last week’s Betfred British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo.
And while Luke Donald will make his six Captain’s Picks on September 1, Wallace admitted to having “a heavy heart” in a social media post as he arrived back at Crans-Montana.
"It's been a hard couple of weeks, probably more emotionally than physically [with] wanting to show myself and try to get into the Ryder Cup team when it means so much to you," said Wallace.
Ahead of the Danish Golf Championship, Wallace spoke of his confidence in his form but endured tough Sundays in both Denmark and England to finish in a tie for 64th and 33rd respectively over the closing two weeks of the qualifying period.
Citing some technical flaws, Wallace said he had his "C or D game" at The Belfry Hotel & Resort.
"Pressure in golf is like a ghost," he said. "It is there, you can’t see it but you can sense it. It really affects your swing sometimes."
He added: "You give it everything and I just haven’t had it.
"I won’t give up, there is an extra week. [But] I don’t believe I will be able to get a pick but it is out of my control and my hands so we will leave it up to Luke."
Wallace has made no secret that making the Ryder Cup team was his end goal for the year, but he is already looking forward to resetting his immediate ambitions.
"It was the driver for me at the end of last year," he reflected.
"I did that interview in Scotland [last summer at the Genesis Scottish Open when he was emotional after a missed cut] where I was at my lowest moment and then picked up again when the Ryder Cup points started and then I was able to come here and win.
"It has always been a driving force for me. Hopefully I can make that team at least one time in my career.
"This was a big year and a half of preparation to try and make the Ryder Cup team. Just coming up short probably is tough to take.
"It means a lot to me but I have done the emotional part at the end of last week and the start of this week and I am settled with it now.
"We will reset with the team, get better for the next one, there is room for improvement and hopefully I can make the next team at Adare Manor."
Amid that honesty, Wallace is pleased to be at a happy hunting ground as the 35-year-old makes his title defence.
After struggling at the venue over his first three visits, a switch clicked for him on his return in 2022 after a three-year absence when he lost out in a play-off to Thriston Lawrence.
But he put that heartache behind him by making amends last year as he beat Alfredo Garcia-Heredia over extra holes to claim his fifth DP World Tour title - and first for six years.
“I feel proud, it's great to be back,” he said.
“I wasn’t a huge fan of the old golf course before they changed a few holes. I couldn’t really get my head around as to why.
“But then Tom, my stats guy, was like ‘it’s a perfect golf course for you’.
“As soon as he said that, I finished second that year and then have played well since.
“Controlling the golf ball is really important, ball striking and the short game is massive around here when you don’t hit the greens.
“If I hit the ball well, I am going to score and if I don’t I feel I can save myself.”
