The Grove, Watford, England …
European Ryder Cup star Chris Wood admits he’s too much of a ‘home boy’ in stating he will resist the urge to compete full-time on the PGA Tour.
Wood is returning to competition at this week’s British Masters at The Grove course north of London and for a first time since the Ryder Cup.
Wood played in two Hazeltine matches teaming with Justin Rose on Saturday morning to win their Foursomes encounter and then taking World No. 1 Dustin Johnson right down to the last hole before losing 1 up.
The 26-year old newly wed, like his non-PGA Tour member Hazeltine team-mates, is eligible to apply for invitations into events on the 2016/17 PGA Tour season that commences this week.
England’s Chris Wood says he’s too much of ‘a home boy’ to play full time on the PGA Tour. (Photo – European Tour)
Fellow European Team rookie, Thomas Pieters revealed last week in Scotland he has already accepted offers to in the hope of earning full 2017/18 membership status but not Wood, who is nearing the end of his eighth full season competing in Europe.
“I am not intending to take up a PGA Tour card at this stage because if you are going to commit to the PGA Tour you have to do it properly and live over there,” he said.
“I am too much of a home boy and I would struggle, I think, to live in America.
“I also like the idea, as was the case this morning, of getting into my own car and driving to the course here at The Grove.
“I might consider dipping me toe in next year playing a few more events ahead of the three U.S. based Majors and see how that goes.
“But the big thing is for me is what if I am over there in the States for a few weeks and you miss a cut as all you do is go back to your hotel room and stare at the ceiling.”
Wood this week will be seeking to become only the fourth player behind Nick Faldo (1989), Seve Ballasteros (1991) and Colin Montgomerie (1998) to capture the BMW PGA Championship and the British Masters in the same season.
However, Wood is also returning to competition still in awe of World No. 2 Dustin Johnson and with the American, despite his prodigious length off the tee, fighting hard to defeat the Englishman in their Hazeltine Sunday Singles showdown.
“I probably need to hit it about 40 yards further to keep up with Dustin Johnson as I’ve never seen anybody bomb it like he does,” said Wood.
“I don’t think I’m short but he was pipping me 40 yards on every tee. Like the 600-yard par 5s, I can’t reach in two but he was just knocking a 3-wood to the middle of the green making four every time.
“That put pressure on my wedges just to keep up. I hit a driver on the par 4, hit it to a great shot to 10-feet, and he’s hitting 3-wood.
“There’s a big difference. After this, I’ll head to the gym (smiling)”.
