Matt Wallace draws criticism after berating caddie at BMW

Hotheaded Englishman Matt Wallace drew the ire of fans on social media on Sunday when he berated his caddie while in contention on the back nine of the BMW International in Munich.

Wallace’s visible frustration was caught on the SkySports broadcast throughout the round, coming to a head several times. On the par-3 12th, viewers reported Wallace’s anger with caddie Dave McNeilly after his tee shot sailed long.

Wallace, the defending champion, still stepped to the 18th tee very much in contention, needing a birdie to rejoin the lead. Instead, he hooked his tee shot into the water and went on to make bogey. Cameras picked up a tense moment with Wallace going at McNeilly again.

I watched him play the 18th and this is the only dialogue with the caddie on my DVR pic.twitter.com/tbPXZReTmS

— Matt Sylla (@mattsylla) June 24, 2019

Wallace would go on to make bogey, finishing two shots outside the playoff between Matthew Fitzpatrick and eventual winner Andrea Pavan.

The behavior was the second time in as many weeks that Wallace has run hot on the golf course. Despite a strong T12 finish at last week’s U.S. Open at Pebble Beach, Wallace was captured in several moments of frustration, tossing a putter on one occasion, turning his hat backwards on another. The behavior drew pointed criticism from SkySports analyst Rich Beem. “I’m sorry but I just don’t enjoy watching that,” he said. “I know you’re intense, but get over yourself.”

https://twitter.com/TheGolfVillan/status/1139900821909528576

Wallace had penned an apology in a column for the Evening Standard after further frustration boiled over on the last hole of the British Masters. “I’m really disappointed in the way I behaved. For 71 holes, I’d done really well, then let myself down badly with one petulant act,” he wrote. “The best players in the world don’t do that so why should I?”

Wallace finished the BMW in a seven-way tie for 3rd. Wallace leads the European Tour’s Race to Dubai and sits a career-best No. 24 in the world. You can see further reaction to his actions below.

Missed it, but it sounds like Matt Wallace put on quite a show earlier today in Munich (not the good kind)

— Tron Carter (@TronCarterNLU) June 24, 2019

At what point do the European tour take a look at Matt Wallace and his on course behaviour. Disgusting treatment of his caddy after he once again kept attitude beat him ..time for a fine or a ban may help him in the long run to be Europe's number 1 https://t.co/ECgIDyL9xi

— Robert gardiner (@Robertg57213407) June 24, 2019

https://twitter.com/goonerkh/status/1142911775135948800

I have a feeling Matt Wallace will have a new caddy on his next event. Amazing dirty looks, he hit the shots!! #EuropeanTour2019 #bmwinternational

— Out of Bounds Comedy (@OoBComedy) June 23, 2019

Matt Wallace is quickly becoming the most dislikable golfer out there. Maybe it’s his desire to win and strive for perfection, but there’s no need to be an absolute tit when things go wrong from time to time.

— Mike Norman (@MikkyMo73) June 23, 2019

https://twitter.com/CircusPony9/status/1142802049827917824

Matt Wallace an awful dose giving the caddy loads for tonking it in the drink! Must have had a chat with Jordan Spieth last wkend!

— Alan Reck (@alanreck) June 23, 2019

@EuropeanTour Matt Wallace language on 18 and way he spoke to caddy was disgusting

— Andrew Dixon (@AndrewD45451631) June 23, 2019

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