CRANS-MONTANA, Switzerland — After accidents and mental-health struggles, Andrew “Beef” Johnston — one in every of golf’s most charismatic gamers — is likely to be again as a power after ending third on the European Masters received by fellow Englishman Matt Wallace in a playoff on Sunday.
Wallace holed an 8-foot birdie putt on No. 18 to beat Alfredo Garcia-Heredia of Spain within the first playoff gap and win his fifth European tour occasion — and his first in six years.
The story of the week within the Swiss Alps, nevertheless, is likely to be the re-emergence of Johnston, who established himself as one of many largest characters within the sport in his breakthrough yr in 2016 when he received the Open de Espana and completed eighth on the Open Championship.
At the moment, he was at a career-best No. 74 within the rankings however he was as little as No. 2,055 three months in the past. Johnston acknowledged he struggled to take care of his new-found recognition and was beset by mental-health points, whereas a succession of accidents — notably to his thumb and his again — set him again.
Johnston, who began his personal YouTube channel in 2022, has began to get well some kind this summer time and a 4-under 66 within the last spherical left him one shot behind Wallace (70) and Garcia-Heredia (66), who had been on 11-under par general on the picturesque Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Membership.
“A variety of aid,” Johnston mentioned, combating again the tears. “It has been a tricky couple of years. To place in an excellent efficiency for 4 days, it has been good.”
Wallace and Garcia-Heredia went to a playoff after the Spaniard made birdie from 5 toes on the 72nd gap, however Wallace — the in a single day chief by 4 photographs — held his nerve within the playoff.
From the center of the green, the 91st-ranked Wallace hit his method effectively inside his rival’s and span it again to eight toes. After Garcia-Heredia’s birdie putt went extensive, Wallace rolled in his try and gave out an enormous roar.
“That was a tough day,” mentioned Wallace, who additionally was on the verge of tears.
Wallace’s greatest kind got here in 2018 when he received thrice in six months, however now he feels again within the type of kind to get into Europe’s Ryder Cup group for subsequent yr’s matches at Bethpage Black. The qualification course of began final week.
“Ryder Cup, let’s go,” Wallace mentioned.
