Congratualtions to HSPSE pupil Chris Wood who finally grabbed his first European Tour title in brilliant fashion with a closing eagle at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters in Doha.
After no fewer than 19 top-10 finishes, the 25-year-old from Bristol was in danger of missing out again when a nervy start turned a three-stroke overnight lead into a two-shot deficit before the turn.
However Wood battled back, but came to the par-five last one behind Spanish star Sergio Garcia and South African George Coetzee.
The tee had been moved forward over 60 yards, and after a booming drive the 6ft 5in golfer - best remembered for coming fifth in the 2008 Open as an amateur and then third at Turnberry a year later - hit a 202-yard five-iron over the water and straight at the flag.
It came up just short, but he was celebrating the 12-foot putt going in before it dropped and two fist-pumps showed what it meant.
'I knew it was going to be hard no matter how I played,' Wood told Sky Sports after collecting a first prize of just under £260,000.'Winning on the European Tour is not easy.'
He did take the Thailand Open last August for his first professional success, but still remembered how he lost the 2010 BMW PGA Championship with a closing 77 and the 2011 Majorca Open with a 76 after leading by four.
'It feels good. Blimey, I've seen a few mates picking up trophies and I've been waiting patiently for my time,' he said.'I felt like I was due to win for a couple of years, but now there's an enormous weight off my shoulders and I feel I can go on and win more.'
As for the eagle, Wood added: 'Nice way to finish!'
Wood who works with putting coach Phil Kenyon recently acknowledged Phil in The Mailonline for the work they have done.
‘My putting has certainly improved,’ he says. ‘I like the way Phil approaches his putting. It’s very scientific. He tells you exactly what the putter’s doing. Everything he does is based on facts so it’s not guess work.
‘But the thing with putting is you have got to do the practice. He can tell you as much as you want but if you’re not doing the drills yourself, you’re not going to improve and I’ve certainly learned to put a bit more time into my putting and Phil’s done a great job with me".
