Chris Wood back on track after injury
By: Golf Shake | Edited: Mon 14 Jul 2014
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Bristol's Chris Wood made the cut right on the mark, but the 6ft 5in giant was thankful just to be at Muirfield.
After winning the Qatar Masters earlier in the year for his first European Tour victory, the 25-year-old couldn't wait for the
rest of the season. But he was laid low by back pain, which was diagnosed as a bulging disc.
rest of the season. But he was laid low by back pain, which was diagnosed as a bulging disc. "I had been undergoing a fitness regime under the guidance of somebody who should have known what they were doing," he said. "But it turned out that my back problems were caused by the very routine that was meant to keep me in shape."
Having decided to give the gym a wide berth from now on, Wood is free of pain. "I am just thrilled to be at Muirfield, which is an awesome track," he said. "The weather has been a real bonus too."
He got off to the worst possible start on Thursday, opening with a triple-bogey seven, but battled back and a pair of 75s got him through to the weekend.
Playing with KJ Choi, he made steady progress in difficult conditions yesterday. Two birdies and a bogey on the front nine saw him reach the turn in 35.
He dropped a shot at the 10th for the third day on the trot, and two more went at the 14th and 15th. And there was worse to come in the shape of a five at the par-three 16th. Pars at the 17th and 18th saw him home in an ugly 40 shots and gave him his third round of 75.
He may be 12 over par but for Wood it is enough just to be here at Muirfield. “The reason we all play the game is to take part in tournaments like this,” Wood said. “This is my first Open since St Andrews in 2010 and, take it from me, there is nothing worse than sitting at home watching it on TV.
“Winning in Qatar was huge for me. It propelled me back up the rankings and I want to get myself back into the top 50 and start playing in The Masters again. When you get to Augusta, you know you really are part of the world elite.”
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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