Chris Wood: The Tall Guy
What kind of qualities did you develop that have made you successful as a pro?
My attitude. At all the training camps I went to there was only me and one other who really wanted it and put the hours in. We were always there. First in the gym at 6.30 in the morning. Nothing was an issue. And that was me and [Danny] Willett.
Looking back now, it was so obvious. If I had been on the outside looking in, I would have picked up on the fact that we were a little different. We wanted it more. I remember doing all the skills tests. We had challenges every day.
They added up on an Order of Merit. I wanted to win it. But other guys didn’t seem bothered. I was trying my nuts off. And I’m sure Dan was the same. He pushed me and I hope I did the same for him.
You are telling me that this amiable, soft-spoken guy I’m talking to is a killer on the course?
I’m very competitive, even if it isn’t immediately obvious. I went bowling at Christmas with a few of my mates. I won that, even though I have barely bowled in my life. Last time I went I had to use the rail. But, yes, I definitely have something in me.
It’s not hating to lose, it’s more wanting to win. I actually think it would help me on tour if I were more outwardly demonstrative. Sometimes I don’t believe in myself enough.
Even though I know that is part of my make-up, I do seem like someone low on confidence. I’ve been told by others that I need to realize how good I am.
Have you talked to a psychologist?
I have a little bit. I’ve started to work with someone at home in Bristol. It’s not quite psychology but it is similar. And it has helped. But my former coach, Paul, really filled that role.
He was great at filling me with confidence. He was always telling me I was way better than some other guys. That really helped me.
You’ve talked a lot about Paul. You’re not with him any more. That must have been a difficult decision.
Oh yes, the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. We were such good friends. I genuinely can’t think of too many other coaches who have taken a 15-handicap 12-year-old to winning on the European Tour.
Has splitting affected your relationship with him?
It was bound to. But I still think he can help me.
He was so much more than a coach. We have never fallen out. But it obviously hurt him and it hurt me too.
Why did you do it?
It got to a stage where we both hit a bit of a dead end. We had 15 years together, which is a long time. No-one else looked at my swing in all that time.
Although I had other coaches telling me things I was doing wrong over the years, Paul always told me to stick with what we were doing. I only listened to him.
It was really, really tough. I spoke to him on a Sunday night after the 2015 Spanish Open in Barcelona. I couldn’t eat or sleep that week. I can’t tell you how difficult it was.
I hope some day he will still be able to help me. I know he can when he feels ready for that. He has certainly built a great reputation as a coach.
You helped his career as well then.
Absolutely. He coaches Jimmy Mullen, who was in the last Walker Cup team. Paul will be able to pass on all he learned coaching me to guys like Jimmy. We went to the Masters together. We shared some amazing times.
How did you decide on Mike Walker and Pete Cowen?
Stuart Cage was always a big supporter of Paul. He believed in him as much as I did. But seeing what Mike has done with Danny [Willett] was part of my decision.
He and I are good friends. And I had a chat with (putting coach) Phil Kenyon, who shares a room with Mike most weeks on tour. He told me that, if I was going to change, Mike and Pete were the best.
Phil has a great relationship with Paul too, so it was never a case of him persuading me. It was my decision. Phil was there to give his opinion only if I had decided to make a change.
Did it make a difference right away?
It did. A new voice by itself gave me a little bit of clarity. And the first week I was with Mike I finished fourth at Wentworth. Then I won a few weeks later. But golf is never that simple. It will bite me again.
I hear you have a mixed set of clubs in your bag. Why is that?
It’s only my irons. I have perimeter weighting in my long irons and the others are standard blades. Everyone needs a bit of help with the long irons [laughs]. That’s the only reason.
If there were no contracts in place, I reckon 90 percent of players on tour would use Mizuno irons. They are things of beauty. The feel and everything about them I love.
Put me in charge of the tour and it would be compulsory for a pro to be able to hit a 3-iron.
I couldn’t agree more. I have this conversation with Thomas Aiken. I think he and I might be the only players on tour still carrying a 2-iron. All that hybrid crap; I’m not into any of that.
The European Tour looks to be embarking on an era of significant change. Where do you stand on that?
I love playing the European Tour. I’m a homeboy. If you’re going to play the PGA Tour you have to live in America. I don’t want to do that. So that’s that for me. I’d rather be home with Bethany than out on the PGA Tour week after week.
Where would you like to see the tour in five years’ time?
I don’t think we can ever compete with the PGA Tour financially. But we have so much to offer. I’d like to see fewer events. I’d like to see a more European-heavy schedule. And a season running from the Desert Swing in January to maybe a November finish.
Do you feel good enough to win a major?
I think so. But I need a bit of help with the belief side of things. I’ve proved that I have the game to compete at that level. Now it’s a case of getting more experience in those events.
I’ve played in the Open a few times now. But I’ve only been to one Masters and three or four PGAs. And this year will be my first US Open. So playing in them more can only help.
