British Open notable Wood to turn pro
Turning pro
The similarities between Chris Wood and Justin Rose continued this week.
In 1998 Rose, just shy of his 18th birthday, chipped in for eagle to finish T-4 at the British Open, held at Royal Birkdale. The next day he decided to turn pro.
This week, after previously announcing he had no plans to do so, Wood says he will also pursue the professional game after a meeting with Andrew "Chubby" Chandler of Chandler's International Sports Management Company.
Wood finished T-5 at this year's Open at Royal Birkdale, taking Silver Medal honors and challenging for the Claret Jug for much of the final round.
The 20-year-old Bristol native has yet to sign any paperwork with the management company, he will have seven sponsor exemptions in the European Tour for the rest of the season. After that he will need to at least match the earnings of the final qualifying player in last year's Order of Merit to gain full exempt status. If not, he has to go through Q School in Spain.
The decision caps a whirlwind week for Wood, the former Welsh Stroke Play champion.
"It's been the best week of my life," said Wood after the Open. "I didn't feel any pressure at all really, apart from the first tee. I didn't really feel like there was any pressure on me all day."
He is likely to make his debut August 14 at the SAS Masters in Stockholm.