Chaska, Minnesota …
European Team giant Chris Wood is hoping to ignore thoughts of watching the nervousness shown in 2004 by Luke Donald and not buckle in playing his opening Ryder Cup tee shot.
Wood, 29 is among a record-equalling six European Team rookies in Darren Clarke’s Hazeltine side.
The reigning BMW PGA Champion, who stands all of six foot, six-and-quarter inches, wound-up his Hazeltine practice yesterday (THU) morning in the company of Rory McIlroy, Martin Kaymer and fellow rookie Thomas Pieters.
Chris Wood looking not to buckle on the opening tee of his first Ryder Cup
And thanks to countless messages of support the Bristol-born Wood is quietly confident of overcoming his first tee emotions.
“The common theme from every vice-captain in our team and from former players that I’ve spoken to or has sent text messages had just been to enjoy it,” said Wood.
“But it’s hard not to when you go out on a Tuesday and you play your first practice round and there’s 40,000 or 50,000 people out there.
“So Friday is going to be slightly more intense, and the feelings you’re going to get are going to be a bit different. “I’ve watched every Ryder Cup in recent years and the first morning is just unbelievable.
“I’ve looked at pictures or videos of Luke a few years ago at Oakland Hills, and he’s struggling to get the ball on the tee, and that will be quite interesting to try and go through those sort of same feelings.
“But it’s a challenge, I’m sure I’ll cope.”
Helping Wood will be Prestwick-born caddy Mark ‘Punk’ Crane.
It was Crane who Wood singled out soon after clinching the European Tour’s flagship event in May at Wentworth.
“Punk doesn’t give much away and he’s pretty level-headed and quiet, and has been great for me on the golf course.
“A great example would be when I wanted to hit a 6-iron into the par five at the last at Wentworth over the water and when I’ve got a one shot lead. And he said, No. we’re going to hit sand wedge, sand wedge.
“So he’s very level-headed and he’s a great asset for me but I also need to keep him happy as long as possible.”
