Chris Wood, the 6ft 5in amateur who came within three shots of leading the British Open golf championship on a thrilling final afternoon at Royal Birkdale earlier this month, has decided to follow in the footsteps of his English compatriot Justin Rose and join the professional ranks.
Wood, 20, finished fifth behind the champion Padraig Harrington a decade after Rose had produced an equally stunning performance to take fourth place behind the previous Birkdale winner Mark O'Meara.
He declared after collecting the Silver Medal as the highest-placed amateur that he would delay a decision on his professional career for at least a year, but this week changed his mind under the temptation of a lucrative offer from the International Sports Management (ISM) group.
The same agency managed to recruit the promising Northern Ireland player Rory McIlroy, who took the prize for leading amateur at Carnoustie a year ago and has since established himself on the European Tour.
The excited Wood joins players like Ernie Els, Lee Westwood, Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and David Howell under the ISM umbrella.
He disclosed that talks with Clarke, after they had played together last weekend, were instrumental in reaching his decision.
"I've spoken to professionals and they said that I'll be a better player after a year on the tour," said Wood, who will play in the Quinn Insurance British Masters at The Belfry on Sept 25-28, an event which his backing company promotes.
"If I was going to play amateur golf for another year, I'm not sure that I would be in a better position than I am now." He needs to earn a total of £150,000 (Dh1million) to avoid having to play in the European Tour's qualifying school in November, but if he reproduces anything approaching the form he showed at Birkdale he will expect to achieve that target comfortably.
Inspired by his final round pairing with England's Ian Poulter, who finished runner-up to Harrington, Wood shot a two-over-par 72 under considerable pressure to huge acclaim from the large public galleries.
Wood was delighted after walking down the 18th alongside Poulter, who at the time was in serious contention to lift the Claret Jug. "It was the best week of my life," he reflected.
"The support I've had from my family, friends and coach has been fantastic.
"My trainer drove up from Devon on the morning of my final round to watch me. Everyone at my golf club has just been overwhelming and I expect I won over a few more in the crowd."
Wood will leave the amateur ranks with mixed feelings, believing he benefited greatly from representing England.
"The opportunities that come with being in the England team are just unbelievable," he said.
"I was in Australia for three weeks in April, I've been to Argentina, Mexico and Russia.
"You get experience playing like a professional as an amateur, and then there is the coaching we receive - England have got some great coaches.
"The standard in amateur golf is so high that a lot of the guys who have turned pro this year or last year are doing so well.
"They've come straight out of the England team. I think it just shows how strong it is."
The lanky Wood had considered a career in professional football as a schoolboy and was recruited into his the academy of his local club Bristol City at the age of 14, but a loose bone in a knee put paid to those aspirations.
"I got out of bed one day and collapsed down on the floor and couldn't play for ages," he said.
"I lost interest in football and obviously had a lot more time to practise my golf.
"Every year I've improved so far and obviously I am hoping to continue that improvement."
Andrew Chandler, managing director of ISM believed Wood's capture was a major coup for his organisation
"We are thrilled and delighted that Chris has chosen to join us when he had several other options," he said.
"He is an extremely talented and likeable young man and proved at The Open that he can perform at the highest level."
@Email:wjohnson@thenational.ae
The specs: Volvo XC40
Price: base / as tested: Dh185,000
Engine: 2.0-litre, turbocharged in-line four-cylinder
Gearbox: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 250hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 350Nm @ 1,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 10.4L / 100km
Score
Third Test, Day 1
New Zealand 229-7 (90 ov)
Pakistan
New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat
Company Profile
Company name: Cargoz
Date started: January 2022
Founders: Premlal Pullisserry and Lijo Antony
Based: Dubai
Number of staff: 30
Investment stage: Seed
Herc's Adventures
Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
Rating: 4/5
Company Profile
Founders: Tamara Hachem and Yazid Erman
Based: Dubai
Launched: September 2019
Sector: health technology
Stage: seed
Investors: Oman Technology Fund, angel investor and grants from Sharjah's Sheraa and Ma'an Abu Dhabi
Barbie
Director: Greta Gerwig
Stars: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Will Ferrell, America Ferrera
Rating: 4/5
The specs
Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 456hp at 5,000rpm
Torque: 691Nm at 3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 14.6L/100km
Price: from Dh349,545
On sale: now
Profile of Whizkey
Date founded: 04 November 2017
Founders: Abdulaziz AlBlooshi and Harsh Hirani
Based: Dubai, UAE
Number of employees: 10+
Sector: AI, software
Cashflow: Dh2.5 Million+
Funding stage: Series A
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
RESULTS
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 1,200m
Winner: Shafaf, Sam Hitchcott (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)
5,30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 1,200m
Winner: Noof KB, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
6pm: The President’s Cup Listed (TB) Dh380,000 1,400m
Winner: Taamol, Jim Crowley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
6.30pm: The President’s Cup Group One (PA) Dh2,500,000 2,200m
Winner: Rmmas, Tadhg O’Shea, Jean de Roualle
7pm: Arabian Triple Crown Listed (PA) Dh230,000 1,600m
Winner: Ihtesham, Szczepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 1,400m
Winner: AF Mekhbat, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League, Group B
Barcelona v Inter Milan
Camp Nou, Barcelona
Wednesday, 11pm (UAE)
The biog
Name: Gul Raziq
From: Charsadda, Pakistan
Family: Wife and six children
Favourite holes at Al Ghazal: 15 and 8
Golf Handicap: 6
Childhood sport: cricket
SPEC SHEET: NOTHING PHONE (2a)
Display: 6.7” flexible Amoled, 2412 x 1080, 394ppi, 120Hz, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Processor: MediaTek Dimensity 7200 Pro, 4nm, octa-core
Memory: 8/12GB
Capacity: 128/256GB
Platform: Android 14, Nothing OS 2.5
Main camera: Dual 50MP main, f/1.88 + 50MP ultra-wide, f/2.2; OIS, EIS, auto-focus, ultra XDR, night mode
Main camera video: 4K @ 30fps, full-HD @ 60fps; slo-mo full-HD at 120fps
Front camera: 32MP wide, f/2.2
Battery: 5000mAh; 50% in 30 mins w/ 45w charger
Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC (Google Pay)
Biometrics: Fingerprint, face unlock
I/O: USB-C
Durability: IP54, limited protection from water/dust
Cards: Dual-nano SIM
Colours: Black, milk, white
In the box: Nothing Phone (2a), USB-C-to-USB-C cable, pre-applied screen protector, SIM tray ejector tool
Price (UAE): Dh1,199 (8GB/128GB) / Dh1,399 (12GB/256GB)
ANATOMY OF A FALL
Director: Justine Triet
Starring: Sandra Huller, Swann Arlaud, Milo Machado-Graner
Rating: 5/5
AIDA RETURNS
Director: Carol Mansour
Starring: Aida Abboud, Carol Mansour
Rating: 3.5./5
ICC Intercontinental Cup
UAE squad Rohan Mustafa (captain), Chirag Suri, Shaiman Anwar, Rameez Shahzad, Mohammed Usman, Adnan Mufti, Saqlain Haider, Ahmed Raza, Mohammed Naveed, Imran Haider, Qadeer Ahmed, Mohammed Boota, Amir Hayat, Ashfaq Ahmed
Fixtures Nov 29-Dec 2
UAE v Afghanistan, Zayed Cricket Stadium, Abu Dhabi
Hong Kong v Papua New Guinea, Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Ireland v Scotland, Dubai International Stadium
Namibia v Netherlands, ICC Academy, Dubai
Sly Cooper and the Thievius Raccoonus
Developer: Sucker Punch Productions
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
Console: PlayStation 2 to 5
Rating: 5/5
The five pillars of Islam
What is cystic fibrosis?
- Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects the lungs, pancreas and other organs.
- It causes the production of thick, sticky mucus that can clog the airways and lead to severe respiratory and digestive problems.
- Patients with the condition are prone to lung infections and often suffer from chronic coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
- Life expectancy for sufferers of cystic fibrosis is now around 50 years.
SPECS
Engine: 4-litre V8 twin-turbo
Power: 630hp
Torque: 850Nm
Transmission: 8-speed Tiptronic automatic
Price: From Dh599,000
On sale: Now
FIGHT CARD
Lightweight 10 rounds:
Bader Samreen (8-0-0) v Jose Paez Gonzales (16-2-2)
Super flyweight 10 rounds:
Sultan Al Nuaimi (9-0-0) v Jemsi Kibazange (18-6-2)
Cruiseweight 8 rounds:
Mohammed Bekdash (25-0-0) v Musa N’tege (8-4-0)
Super featherweight 8 rounds:
Bishara Sabbar (6-0-0) v Mohammed Azahar (8-5-1)
Welterweight 6 rounds:
Marwan Mohamad Madboly (2-0-0) v Sheldon Schultz (4-4-0)
Heavyweight 4 rounds:
Youssef Karrar (1-0-0) v Muhammad Muzeei (0-0-0)
Welterweight 6 rounds:
Benyamin Moradzadeh (0-0-0) v Rohit Chaudhary (4-0-2)
Featherweight 4 rounds:
Yousuf Ali (2-0-0) (win-loss-draw) v Alex Semugenyi (0-1-0)
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Elmawkaa
Based: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Founders: Ebrahem Anwar, Mahmoud Habib and Mohamed Thabet
Sector: PropTech
Total funding: $400,000
Investors: 500 Startups, Flat6Labs and angel investors
Number of employees: 12
SRI LANKS ODI SQUAD
Perera (capt), Mendis, Gunathilaka, de Silva, Nissanka, Shanaka, Bandara, Hasaranga, Udana, Dananjaya, Dickwella, Chameera, Mendis, Fernando, Sandakan, Karunaratne, Fernando, Fernando.
The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial
Director: William Friedkin
Stars: Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Clarke, Jake Lacy
Rating: 3/5
Voy! Voy! Voy!
Director: Omar Hilal
Stars: Muhammad Farrag, Bayoumi Fouad, Nelly Karim
Rating: 4/5