Open Prospects - Chris Wood
By: Golf Shake | Edited: Mon 14 Jul 2014
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Chris Wood tees up alongside former Open champion David Duval tomorrow - and he can't wait to get started.
The 26-year-old Bristol golfer twice nearly won the oldest major of all, once as an amateur, so he knows what it feels like to be in contention on the back nine on Sunday afternoon.
But this is his first Open since 2010, when he was blown off the Old Course at St Andrews. And boy, has he missed it.
"I love The Open and taking part in it is why we all play golf," he said. "This has been a strange season for me. I won my first European Tour event but spent weeks on the sidelines with a back injury."
Like most of his contemporaries, Wood took to the gym to keep in shape. He followed a carefully prepared routine, but when he started suffering back pain he was told by a doctor that he had a bulging disc and it was caused by his gym work.
"You put yourself in somebody's hands because you believe they are an expert in their field. That's what I did, and it cost me a back injury that could have damaged my career," said Wood.
"But I am now free from pain and having had a good look at Muirfield all that I can say is that it is a truly magnificent golf course."
With the fairways now rock hard after a couple of weeks of non-stop sunshine, devising a strategy is going to be vital. Wood believes most players will not hit many drivers, other than on the longest holes.
"Control from the tee and keeping the ball in the fairway is going to be vital," he said. "I am sure you will see most players teeing off with two and three irons - with the roll we have been getting, you can hit a three iron 270 yards. And then there is the challenge of working out which approach shots you can hit to the heart of greens and which ones you need to land short and, in some respects, trust to luck."
Wood's confidence is high. After more top-10 finishes than he cares to remember, he won the Qatar Masters in style this season. He came to the final hole knowing that a birdie would put him into a playoff. After putting his second shot at the par five to 15 feet, Wood said that he stood over the crucial putt with a positive mindset.
"It did briefly enter my head that I could lag the putt and assure myself of getting into the playoff, but then I thought to myself, 'Chris, how many times in your life are you going to be in this position?'
"My mind was made up and I decided to go for it. I can't tell you how good it felt to see the ball disappear for an eagle three. I was really proud that when the pressure was at its greatest, I was able to hit a great drive, super second and hole that putt."
Wood hoped that he would be able to kick on after that, but his back injury put paid to that. Now he is pain-free, striking the ball well and convinced that if his chance should come this week, he will be able to grab it with both hands.
Derek Clements is a sports journalist with a particular passion for golf with over 12 years of experience covering golf and other sports including Chief Sub-Editor on the sports desk of The Sunday Times. To contact Derek email direct via [email protected]
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