CHRIS WOOD became the first StrokeAverage.com client to win the Silver Medal at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale Golf Club, as he also recorded his first top five finish in a golf Major.

The 20-year-old from Bristol gained a legion of fans over the Lancashire golf links - just as Justin Rose did at Birkdale Golf Club 10 years ago - with a composed display among some of the toughest conditions experienced over four days in an Open Championship for many years.

Chris Wood, a member of the England Elite Squad, who came through Local and Final Qualifying, overcame three dropped shots after the turn to fire a birdie at the 17th to end up tied for fifth alongside 2003 US Open Champion Jim Furyk.

“It's been the best week of my life,” said an ecstatic Chris Wood after his round. “I didn't feel any pressure at all really, apart from the first tee. I didn't really feel like there was any pressure on me all day.”

The Long Ashton Golf Club member was six shots behind Claret Jug winner Padraig Harrington, who became the first Irishman ever to win back-to-back Open Championships, matching Tiger Woods‘ feat at Hoylake Golf Club two years ago.

Chris Wood had bravely predicted he was going out to become the first amateur golfer since Bobby Jones in 1930 to win the oldest golf Major in the world - not just to become the leading amateur of the week.

And at one point as both Padraig Harrington and overnight leader Greg Norman came back to field in the bristling breezes which whipped up to 40mph at times, Chris Wood was just a couple of shots behind with nine holes to play.

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