Spectacular finish gives Wood amateur edge

By Norman Dabell

SOUTHPORT (Reuters) - Britain's Chris Wood emulated the 1998 feat of compatriot Justin Rose by chipping in at the last to take control of the race for leading amateur at the British Open on Friday.

While Rose's spectacular finish came from the left rough, Wood chipped over the greenside bunker to send his ball diving into the cup.

His birdie three at the 18th gave him a level-par 70 in the second round and a five-over total of 145, making him the favourite to clinch the amateur's silver medal at Royal Birkdale.

"Unbelievable," Englishman Wood, 20, told reporters after comfortably making the halfway cut which fell at nine-over 149. "To finish like that was something special.

"I probably pitched it a yard short of where I wanted to and it ran straight into the hole. I fancied holing it because I'm chipping well."

Wood, winner of the English Golf Union's 2007 order of merit, has his father Richard caddying for him this week.

He also has a large following of family, friends and fellow club members supporting his bid to capture the silver medal for top amateur, won by Rose a decade ago when he tied for fourth.

"Obviously the silver medal is my main goal," Wood added. "I've made the cut and now I've got to finish as high as I can."