Wood out to shine again

By Mark Garrod, Press Association Sport Golf Correspondent Last updated: 12th July 2010

England's Chris Wood may be less than two years into his professional career but he has already built a reputation for being a big-stage player.

The 22-year-old shot to prominence for winning the Silver Medal as leading amateur at Royal Birkdale in 2008 when he finished joint-fifth.

He immediately decided to join the pro ranks and, unlike many who make such a swift move - Justin Rose for example, he has not looked back.

That was highlighted when Wood bettered his Open debut by finishing joint-third at Turnberry last year, missing out on a chance of winning the Claret Jug by just one shot.

Of his nine career top-10 finishes, two have been at the Open, with four in flagship events like this year's BMW PGA Championship, Italian and South African Opens and last year's European Open.

It is the challenge of links golf which appears to bring out the best in Wood.

"It's weird to say I'm only 22 and I've contended in two majors already," said the Bristolian.

"The experiences I've got out of the Open are going to be amazing for my career. I'm just going to move on and move on every year.

"The Open Championship is obviously an event close to my heart and the experience of playing two of them has given my early professional career a real boost."

Wood heads to St Andrews in just under a fortnight eagerly anticipating a chance to tackle the famous Old Course.

"I played the St Andrews Links Trophy three or four times and got a couple of top 10s," he added.

"The Old Course isn't like Birkdale and Turnberry - there are no dunes, it is wide open and it's all about missing the bunkers from tee.

"I've not done too well in the Dunhill Links Championship which takes place there, but I find that quite an unusual event with the amateurs and slow play meaning it can take six hours to play one round.

"But it will be so special to play an Open there though - it's the pinnacle of golf.

"I've said to a few people who are going up that the atmosphere, not just on the course but in the town, will be fantastic."

Wood's major experience is not all good, however, as he missed the cut at the Masters on his Augusta debut in April.

However, he has vowed to learn lessons from that in a bid to make him a better player.

"My missed cut at Augusta was a huge letdown - one of the greatest of my career," he said after shooting rounds of 78 and 76 to finish 10-over-par.

"After Augusta I was able to sit down with my coach and caddie and the time we spent discussing my game has had a massive affect.

"Since then my game has come on so much and I am a much better player because of it.

"When you miss the cut you just want to get as far away as possible but those feelings can also act as a long-term motivation.

"I never want to feel like that again: the biggest event in golf and I ended it feeling dreadful."

If his previous appearances are anything to go by it seems unlikely Wood will be experiencing those emotions at St Andrews.

Mark Garrod, Press Association Sport Golf Correspondent