Wood will battle his rivals and emotions in Doha

David Cooper - Writer 11:04 22/01/2014
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  • Fond memories: Chris Wood won his first European tour title in Doha.

    England’s Chris Wood will have decidedly mixed emotions when he defends his title in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters, which gets under way in Doha today.

    Wood claimed his first European Tour title 12 months ago in brilliant fashion, making an eagle three on the final hole to beat Sergio Garcia and George Coetzee by a shot.

    But the 26-year-old’s return to Doha Golf Club will also be tinged with sadness following the recent death of his grandfather.

    “It’s been pretty tough with my grandfather passing away,” Wood said. “I was pretty close to him so it’s been a tough week. He was pretty proud of me.”

    After 19 top-10 finishes, Wood looked in danger of missing out again on a European Tour win last year when a nervy start turned a three-stroke overnight lead into a two-shot deficit before the turn.

    He came to the par-five 18th one behind Garcia and Coetzee, but after a booming drive he hit a six iron to 12 feet and holed the putt for a winning eagle.

    “I can’t wait, it’s amazing how quickly a year goes,” said Wood. “It’s one of our best events on tour, the course suits me but it’s going to be a new experience for me defending a title.

    “My girlfriend got me a DVD of the television coverage and I’ve watched it a couple of times. I don’t have any trouble remembering the last couple of shots I hit.

    “I remember a lot of the week actually and I think you always will, you first win on tour.”

    Wood has already played twice in 2014, his win in Qatar securing him a place in the 36-man field for the Volvo Golf Champions in Durban – where he was 18th – and also in Abu Dhabi, where he was 65th.

    “I do a lot of work on my swing in the winter and don’t play a lot, so Durban was great to get four rounds under my belt,” he added. “I struggled but battled through to get another four in Abu Dhabi, so I am probably slightly better prepared than I was last year.”

    Wood will partner Miguel Angel Jimenez and Darren Clarke in the first two rounds, with Luke Donald, Henrik Stenson and Jason Dufner in the group behind.

    “I’m excited to be back,” American Ryder Cup player Dufner said. “I’m going to try to play a little more internationally this year and this fits nicely into my schedule.

    “I think I was one under the first two days last year and played a little better over the weekend so hopefully we can pick up where I did last year and get off to a good start.”

    European No1 Stenson, who suffered a rare missed cut in Abu Dhabi, said: “I’ve had a few more days to practice and play and it feels like I am shaking a bit of the rust off and we’re getting it back slowly.”

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