No Woods but Wood lands amateur silver medal

By Norman Dabell

SOUTHPORT (Reuters) - Injured world number one Tiger Woods may not have been at Royal Birkdale for the past four days but England's number one amateur Chris Wood certainly was.

The 20-year-old Wood not only won the silver medal as top amateur but was also a shock contender to land the British Open title at one stage.

Wood, winner of the English amateur order of merit last year, hauled himself up to third place on Sunday and was within three strokes of the lead until three successive bogeys from the 11th dropped him to a share of fifth.

His two-over-par 72 for a 10-over total of 290 was four strokes better than his only amateur rival, fellow Englishman Thomas Sherreard.

However, Wood created almost as much drama as another silver medal winner, Justin Rose did the last time the third major of the season was held at Birkdale 10 years ago.

"I knew I had a chance to win but when I got two bad lies in bunkers I thought it probably wasn't going to be my day," the youngster told reporters.

"I didn't really hit two bad shots and I was penalised for not being that far off (line). But that's links golf.

"It was unfortunate having three bogeys in the middle of the back nine. That's not what you need to win tournaments like this."