Wood And SullivAn Are to the fore
FORGET The Players’ Championship as the fifth Major.
For Chris Wood, winning the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth is the big one outside golf’s four most prestigious events.
Wood achieved a childhood ambition 12 months ago when he came from three behind on the final day to lift the title.
That victory was the driving force behind qualification for his Ryder Cup debut at Hazeltine and the foundation for his best season on tour.
It has also been a special period off the course, as Chris married his long-time girlfriend Bethany last August and welcomed first child, son Jonah, in February.
Now his thoughts are turning towards the defence of his title.
“I have been coming to watch this event since I was 12,” he says. “I just wanted to play in the tournament, never mind win it.
“I remember cutting across the course and looking down at the perfect fairways and thinking these players moan about all sorts. Now I am one of those moaning players!
“So I have a lot of good memories from coming here and watching it on TV.
“It’s our premier event and a massive one for The European Tour. Outside of the Majors, it’s so high up for a European as a tournament.
“A few weeks after I won, Justin Rose and his caddy said to me: ‘ Well, that’s one off the bucket list’.