Golf-Briton Wood is named Europe's rookie of the year

By Tony Jimenez

LONDON, Nov 25 (Reuters) - Chris Wood, the 21-year-old Briton who finished joint third in the British Open at Turnberry in July, won the European Tour's rookie of the year award on Wednesday.

Wood, who at 6-foot-5 (1.96-metres) stands alongside Swede Robert Karlsson as the tallest golfers on the tour, finished 44th on the money-list with earnings of 679,559 euros ($1.02 million).

However, it was the young Englishman's performance at the Open which effectively sealed the rookie prize, an award judged by the Royal & Ancient organisers, the Association of Golf Writers and the tour.

Wood, who was also tied fifth in the 2008 Open as an amateur, missed out by one stroke on this year's playoff contested by eventual winner Stewart Cink and his fellow American Tom Watson.

"It is brilliant to win this award," the world number 71 said in a news release. "I've had my eyes on winning the rookie crown all season because it's something you only ever get one chance to win.

"Now I am closing in on the top 50 in the world and that must be a big goal in 2010."

(Editing by Kevin Fylan. To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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