Chris Wood’s Long-Awaited Breakthrough in Turkey
Chris Wood finally has something to celebrate. The 37-year-old former Ryder Cup player and world top-25 golfer tied for seventh at the Turkish Airlines Open Sunday, ending a six-year top-10 drought that has defined the most difficult stretch of his career.
Wood closed with a dazzling 7-under 64 at Regnum Carya in Antalya, marking his first made cut on the DP World Tour in nearly three years. It’s a significant milestone for a player who’s battled anxiety, burnout, and serious physical injuries since 2019.
“It’s been horrendous to be honest,” Wood said. “It’s been – since 2019 really – I just feel like I’ve been going through hell.”
The Turkish Airlines Open was just Wood’s second DPWT start this year, following a missed cut in Qatar. He’s now relying entirely on sponsor invitations after losing his tour card three years ago, then subsequently losing Challenge Tour status last year as well.
What makes this result particularly meaningful is how far Wood has fallen. After winning his third DPWT title at the 2016 BMW PGA and making his first Ryder Cup team that same year, his career took a dramatic downturn. He plummeted outside the top 2,000 in the Official World Golf Ranking two years ago and entered this week at No. 1,472.
Beyond the mental struggles, Wood has battled serious neck and back injuries. He once described how an “unplayable swing” had developed during his successful run before his game completely fell apart in 2019 – the same year he walked off the course during a tournament in Morocco because he couldn’t handle the stress.
But through it all, Wood maintained belief in himself.
“I never lost belief in myself,” Wood said. “You obviously have days where it feels harder than some. The fire in my belly has always been there.”
This result could be the turning point Wood has been waiting for. He’s been putting in the work behind the scenes, even if few have noticed.
“I want to feel like I know my game’s there, not just put a score on one day, and I genuinely feel like I’m starting to do that now,” Wood said. “I’ve been working so hard at home just quietly with a great team, and it’s been a long, old road to be honest.”
Now that he’s shown flashes of his old form, Wood is hoping for more opportunities to compete. Without tour status, he’s at the mercy of tournament invitations.
“Hopefully this is a first little step forward, and anyone who wants me at their event, please pick up the phone because I need a few starts this year,” Wood said.
You heard the man.
