Matt Wallace has made a solid start to the Andalucia Valderrama Masters as he seeks to continue his rise up the Race to Dubai rankings and secure a place at the World Tour Championship.

The Moor Park Golf Club professional fired a level-par opening round of 71 in Spain and at the time of writing was in a share of 27th place, five shots behind Joost Luiten and tournament host and Masters champion Sergio Garcia.

Such is the challenge presented by the 1997 Ryder Cup venue though, the 27-year-old is currently one of only 39 players to be at even par or better out of the 126-strong field.

Following his fourth-place finish at last week’s Italian Open, Wallace goes into the final regular event of the European Tour season 62nd in the Race to Dubai standings, needing to be in the top-60 if he is to make the cut for the Dubai event next month.

The Pinner-based professional was one of the early starters and was quickly in the groove, making a birdie three at his first hole, the 10th.

Although he dropped a shot at the par three 15th, that was instantly retrieved at the par four 16th to go ‘out’ in a one-under score of 35.

Wallace started his ‘back’ nine in disappointing fashion with back-to-back bogey fives at the first and second, but a birdie four at five helped see him safely back in the pavilion in solid fashion.