Golf-Open-Wood tells young amateurs to keep emotions in check

By Patrick Johnston

TURNBERRY, Scotland, July 15 (Reuters) - Last year's silver medal winner Chris Wood has told potential leading amateur successors Matteo Manassero and Stephen Gross to treat this week's British Open like any other event.

"You just have to do your normal thing and prepare as if you were playing in the British Amateur (championship) or any other tournament," Wood told Reuters at a sunny Turnberry on Wednesday.

"They have played enough golf on links courses to know how to play the course. It is just about coping with your emotions and nerves," said the tall Englishman.

German Gross, 21, qualified by winning last year's European Amateur championship in Denmark while Italian Manassero lifted the British Amateur title last month.

The 16-year-old became the youngest winner of the event when he defeated Briton Sam Hutsby 4&3 in last month's final at Formby in north west England.

"I had never heard of him (Manassero) but he beat my old foursomes partner in the final," Wood said.

"I was a bit gutted for Sam as I would have rather he had been here."

Manassero and Gross are the only amateurs in this week's field.