A relaxed Matt Wallace is “happy” and “in a great place” as he prepares to fly the flag for England this weekend at the innovative GolfSixes tournament near St Albans.

The Moor Park professional is teaming up with Eddie Pepperell for the six-hole match play event at Centurion Club which will see them play three matches in a Champions League-style group stage tomorrow, with the aim of progressing through to Sunday’s knockout stage.

The opening match is certain to attract plenty of interest, with Wallace and Pepperell taking on the England Women’s team of Georgia Hall and Charley Hull.

Next up is a clash with the Swedish duo of Joakim Lagergren and Alexander Bjork, who won last weekend’s China Open title in which Wallace finished in a tie for third, before England finish the group stage against the South African duo of George Coetzee and Haydn Porteous.

Prior to going close in Beijing, the 28-year-old missed two cuts after winning his second European Tour title at the Hero Indian Open, and he feels in good shape going into this weekend.

He said: “I missed a couple of cuts before China after I won in India which was kind of a setback but I used that to work hard and get back to where I wanted to be at the top. If Eddie’s missed cuts it doesn’t mean he’s on bad form. We’ll be fine this week and we’re going to have fun.

“I saw Eddie yesterday at Wentworth and played a few holes and he was flushing it in. The three iron he hit into the first was impressive, so I knew he was going to be all right this week and I’m hitting it nice.

“Rocky’s [coach Robert Rock] here this week and we’ve just done a bit of work on the range and I’m happy, I’m in a great place, the greens are fantastic, the weather’s going to be great, we’re going to enjoy it and we’re looking forward to this week.”

The six-hole match play format represents a considerable break from the norm of 72-hole stroke play tournament and Pepperell is confident the pair’s games will complement each other, although he revealed the caddie of one of England’s representatives in last year’s inaugural event had been in touch with some words of caution.

He said: “I had a text this morning from Andy Sullivan’s caddie and he said it’s an obvious thing to say but make sure you don’t fall behind early because he said last year they found it very difficult to come back once you’re one down through two, say.

“His advice was to try and get one up through two because of the nature of the format. But the chances are in green somes over six holes, we’re going to make at least three birdies, particularly as there’s two par fives, so we might get off to a good start.

“Talking about the format mine and Matt’s game match up perfectly. If you like at the statistics my iron play is my big strength and Matt drives the ball very well and putts very well, so the way it could pan out really could suit our games but obviously six holes is a short period of time. If it was over 18 holes I would probably be more confident but I’m still confident we can play well in six holes.”

The venue for GolfSixes means it has the bonus of being all-but a home-town tournament for Wallace, who comes from Pinner, and he is relishing the prospect of having some familiar faces in the crowd.

The 2016 six-time Alps Tour winner said: “I obviously have to stay a little bit narrow minded about getting prepared for the tournament because it’s another tournament where we want to play some good golf, but it’s fantastic. To have my parents here, friends and family are going to rock up and Eddie as well is going to have friends and family come, so we should have some nice support.

“I’m not saying we’re going to be rooted for in the girls game, I’m sure everyone will be rooting for them,” he added with a smile, “but I’m looking forward to it and hopefully the sun will smile all weekend.”