Clubhouse leader touches Wood for Open victory
Posted: 19 July 2009
Chris Wood is the clubhouse leader at Turnberry as he bids to become the third youngest winner in the history of The Open Championship.
The 21-year-old finished a memorable fifth-place at Royal Birkdale a year ago to win The Silver Medal for being the top amateur, and is again on the first page of the leaderboard at the Open Championship after a 3-under final 18 - the best round of the day by two strokes.
Wood went out in 32 thanks to an eagle at the seventh and birdie on eight, but two further birdies on the back nine were cancelled out by three bogeys.
The Englishman dropped a shot at the last to finish with a 67 that left him 1-under for the Championship and he admitted would likely be surpassed by the later players.
“I played so good all day, really steady,” said Wood. “There are some tough holes coming in but I think it might be one or two short but you never know.”
Turnberry is hosting The Open Championship for the first time since 1994 following upgrades to the surrounding road infrastructure and a multi-million pound investment in the facilities by owners Leisurecorp and Wood believes its return to the staging rota is long overdue.
“You’d never want to lose Turnberry,” said Wood. “It’s a pleasure to play. It’s the best course I’ve ever played.
“This week has been fantastic. You couldn’t ask for better scenery, the course is in great condition and the way they’ve set up the rough really gives you something to think about on every hole.”
