STROKAVERAGE.COM user Chris Wood has set his sights on getting in the mix on moving day at the 137th Open Championship after taking a leaf out of Justin Rose's book by holing his chip from off the green to make birdie at the last at Royal Birkdale Golf Club.

The 20-year-old golfer from Bristol pumped his arms three times in the air as the cheers rang out around the grandstands by the 18th at the end of his second round with dad Richard, who is caddying this week, joining in the celebrations as his son aped Justin Rose's spectacular finish on the Lancashire links 10 years ago.

Justin Rose chipped in from further out to move into a tie for fourth having come through Final Qualifying as a 17-year-old almost a year after becoming the youngest-ever golfer to appear in the Walker Cup against America.

Chris Wood, a county golfer for Gloucestershire, moved into pole position in the race to win the Silver Medal as the leading amateur at the 2008 Open Championship after making his three at the last, to get to five-under par - two clear of the only other amateur to make the weeknd, Tom Sherreard from Kent, who shot an excellent 69 of his own to go with his opening 77.

But Chris Wood went into Saturday's third round with his sights set much higher with a chance to finish as the highest Englishman, if he can outscore the likes of Ian Poulter, Anthony Wall, Simon Wakefield and former British Amateur Champion Graeme Storm over the weekend.

"The first target was obviously to make the cut, and then to win the Silver Medal," said Chris Wood, "but now I feel I could go on an do really well. I'm just trying not to get overawed by the whole Open experience."

Only shock early leader Greg Norman got a louder cheer from the thousands of spectators amassed by the 18th at Birkdale Golf Club when the Great White Shark holed a long par putt.

Chris Wood's second round of 70 lifted him into 22nd place just six shots behind Korean K J Choi, who produced a brilliant three-under par 67 to lead on one-under having played in the worst of the weather on both days.

Chris Wood, who is ranked sixth in the Official World Amateur Rankings was cheered on by around 100 family members and friends, including members from his Long Ashton Golf Club.

He balanced three birdies with three bogeys in his round.

Chris Wood, who is an England international, has already claimed the Welsh Open Amateur Strokeplay title, and made his European Tour debut in August last year, playing in the Russian Open in Moscow.

Golf article end.