Matt Wallace is determined to give Ryder Cup Captain Thomas Bjørn something to think about when he goes in search of a third victory of the season on Sunday at the Made in Denmark.
The Englishman enters round four at Silkeborg Ry Golf Club just two shots behind leader Lee Westwood and he knows what it takes to get over the line, with three European Tour victories to his name including this season's Hero Indian Open and BMW International Open.
He cannot qualify for the clash against the United States automatically but believes a fourth win in 15 months could give him a good chance at a Captain's Pick, with Johan Edfors in 2006 the only player to win three times in a Ryder Cup year and not play in the biennial spectacular.
“I'm hoping to give Thomas a little headache,” he said. “That was the plan at the start of the week and last week as well when I entered the Czech Masters.
“It'll take good golf tomorrow. I always think the best putter on Sunday wins the golf tournament so I've set myself up ball-striking until Sunday and Sunday the putter takes over - you've got to hole the putts under pressure.
I'm hoping to give Thomas a little headache - Matt Wallace
“I'm going in there tomorrow with a lot of confidence because I'm driving it great and the putter is starting to heat up.”
If Wallace is to win he will not just have Westwood to get past with countrymen Steven Brown and Jonathan Thomson, and Belgian Thomas Detry all just a shot off the lead.
All three men are going for their maiden victories but while Detry has established himself on the European Tour over the past two seasons, Thomson and Brown are both fighting to keep their playing privileges in their rookie seasons.
“I’m trying not to think about keeping my card at the moment but it is difficult not to," said Brown after carding a brilliant 63. “The past few weeks I have probably been trying too hard and putting too much pressure on myself so I have been trying move away from that and just play golf and see what happens.
“I just need to try and keep moving forward tomorrow. I haven’t been in this position on the European Tour before but I know that I can’t try to just consolidate my position.”
Thomson is also planning on being aggressive on the final day when he goes out in the penultimate group alongside Detry.
“These past four weeks have been a real test of my patience because I have been playing some great golf and just not getting the results,” he said. “This week has been great so far and I will go in there tomorrow feeling strong.
“I am really looking forward to getting out there tomorrow and getting after it. I have nothing to lose - I am going to go out there and try to win.”
Detry is 56th in the Race to Dubai Rankings presented by Rolex and is happy to be back in contention after claiming two top tens so far this season.
“It's another chance,” he said. “I've made a lot of cuts this year but I've never been quite able to be up there and I'm really looking forward to giving myself a good chance tomorrow.”
