Britain setting standard for European tour

Chris Wood took the amateur world by storm when he finished fifth at the Open. Now Wood has earned his European Tour card for next season.

Wood, 20, was one of the 32 players who earned their card for 2009. He finished the six round qualifying school in Spain with a brilliant 15 under par.

Danny Willett (England) finished fourth overall and ex-Ryder cup players Andrew Coltart and Joakim Haeggman got through with a breeze. Oskar Henningsson won the even in Girona on 21 under par. By doing this he managed to make history by becoming the first player to come through stages one and two of qualifying school and go on to win the 108 hole final. "To be the first guy to win coming through all three stages is a great achievement and it will give me a lot of confidence going into the new season," said the 23-year-old, who won by four strokes with a total score of 409.

Britain are really stepping up the mark as as Gary Clark, John Mellor, Chris Doak, David Drysdale, Callum MaCaualy, Michael Hoey, Jonathan Caldwell and Stuart Manley have all qualified.

"I've worked really hard for this so I feel like I deserve everything I've achieved, but this does cap a pretty amazing year for me," he said.
"I wouldn't swap the Open for this or this for the Open - I would take both! At the time the Open was as good as golf can get, but knowing I have a full year on the Tour ahead of me is just as good.
"I'll enjoy tonight now - the pressure is off at last. It's a horrible week with all the pressure and everything that comes with it - I never want to come back here again!"