No Laying Up - Golf Podcast - NLU Podcast, Episode 66: Chris Wood

Episode Date: February 17, 2017

European Ryder Cupper Chris Wood joins the No Laying Up podcast to talk about his pending fatherhood, how that will affect his scheduling, his future plans for playing in the United States, and of course,... The post NLU Podcast, Episode 66: Chris Wood appeared first on No Laying Up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm going to be the right club today. Yes! That is better than most. I'm not in. That is better than most. Better than most! Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to the No Laying Out Podcast. Welcome again for the first time European tour member, European rider cup team member, Chris Wood. Chris, what is going on with you today, man? I'm all good. It's been a long day full of some media stuff, but right now I'm pretty comfortable

all-ed on my sofa chatting to you, so it's all good. Don't get too comfortable because the questions are going to start coming in hot and you're going to get put on the hot seat here. But you've got it from what I understand. You've got a baby coming on the way here in the next couple of weeks, is that right? Yeah, any day, really. So, yeah, if I cut, if I say suddenly panic and run off, that's probably why. But yeah, any day now, so it's exciting times. Do you know if you're having a boy or girl? We don't, we've left it up to a surprise.

So, yeah, we, I mean, we obviously get that choice early on with scans and stuff these days, but yeah, it's been quite fun, just not knowing. So, yeah, it's exciting, really. Do you at least have names picked out for when, for a boy name, in a girl name, picked out? Yeah, it's harder than like before we were in this position, you sort of think, oh, you got your name sorted, but actually it's quite hard to agree on them, the two of you. So generally, she'll get last say. They usually do, but tying it into golf, what is having a child do for you, for your plans going forward as far as

your scheduling? Have you made any adjustments for what events you plan to play? Well, we're sort of sat waiting for it to come. So at the moment, I'm sort of, it's officially due in I think 10 days time, which would be very close to the start of the week of the World Golf Championship in Mexico. So that's doubtful whether I'll make that unless it comes in the next week or so. So it's weird really because I'm sat at home now, I'm practicing and I'm, but I don't really, I don't really know what I'm going to play. It's quite hard to mentally get myself up for looking ahead to my next event. Fingers crossed with a bit of luck.

It'll be Mexico, but if not, it's probably looking like Bay Hill. Yeah, we'll get a bit on of transition into playing more golf in the US But we I talked about this on this podcast before about how unique I find the European tour in that it's European only by name And it's really a very global tour As a regular on that tour do you find the schedule Taxing or do you for the most part really enjoy getting to see a lot of different parts of the world? Do you know what you get used to it? I mean the travel we do is incredible. I remember playing a practice round at the USPGA last year,

two years ago with Kevin Nahr. And I mean the boys in the States, they don't, yeah, they're spoiled, aren't they? I mean, a lot of them fly private and he was like, he couldn't believe that we didn't fly private within Europe and stuff like that. I'm like, man, this is, yes, this think, that the places we go or you drive two hours to the airport, you get on a 10 hour flight and you've got a two hour train journey, the other end, things like that. But when you're young, I might feel different about it in 10 years time, but when you're fairly young, you're sort of like an adventurer, really, and then there's a great golf tournament at the other end, and it's, you know, I really enjoy that side of it, so it's not a burden for me at all. Do you get to do much fun stuff when you go to these unique places, or for the most part,

do you build that into your travel schedule, give yourself a couple of days, if you're going to somewhere you haven't been before or for the most part, are you dead set on focused on golf once you get there? Yeah, I mean, obviously a lot of people I speak to say, oh, you get to go to all these amazing countries, these different cities. And what do you see? And I was like, well, the hotel, the golf course and the airport. But for me, I'd, you know, I like to go to a week with my sort of work head on and not treat it that way for the entire week. So I don't feel like I'm really missing out on the touristy side of things

that you could potentially do, because I'm there to try and compete in the tournament not going over a holiday. So there's time for that, you know, if you have a week or two off, you could maybe pop out to a city in Europe or something like that. But tournament weeks I'm there to sort of get my work done really. I've always been that way. Is there a place that you've been that sticks out as like the most unique, craziest experience or best experiences that ranks at the top of the list for you? Cool. That's a tough question because we've got so many places. I think the European Masters in Switzerland, which is six, seven thousand feet up in the Alps, is phenomenal. That was my first tournament back actually after

I got married in August and took my wife there. That was my first tournament back and we had a great hotel looking over the Alps and it sort of felt like a almost like a honeymoon really which we still haven't had so I sort of can't that is our honeymoon what I was playing for. that's phenomenal. But then where else would I say? I mean there's some interesting places in China, you know Shanghai is, I love going to Shanghai I think that's one of the best cities in the world. So it's like there's lots of different places and because like you said earlier, you travel so much and you get to see all these, or stay in all these wonderful cities, it's like that's a big appeal to the European tour because all these cities have got so much culture and so much going on, whereas I suppose in the States you're in the same country every week, so that's

definitely what the European Tour something has got going for it. The Tour itself seems to be going through a period of change in that Keith Pelley. I would assume he gets a lot of the credit for a lot of the different things the Tour is trying just this week. It's, I think it's called the World 6 in Australia, where there's a match play function mixed in with Stroke Play. What do you think overall of the direction the tour is in, the changes that are being made, and do you have some that you really like or some that you aren't particularly fond of? Well, do you know what I was just, today we were talking about this, and I actually said, do you know what, I want to watch this world

two per six on the weekend and I think that says a lot and I mean, my every single day in my life is surrounded by golf. So you might some people might think, well, why would you want to watch it? But I mean, I'm led here now watching Riviera and then I'm sort of like, well, because there is something different going on in Australia this week, I want to see what it's like and watching Riviera and then I'm sort of like well because there is something different going on in Australia this week I want to see what it's like and I genuinely think things like this are good for golf not just the European tour every single week is four round tournaments and it just needs a little bit of change I think you know if that's more match play events,

more team events, more two-man events, that sort of thing, or this new six-hole sort of knockout thing, I think you'll be interested in to see what it's like, but the best thing about it for me is the fact that the European Tour aren't afraid to give it a go. We've probably not been anywhere near that in the past, but since Keith's come in, he's got the balls to give it a go really, and I think that says a lot. Along with a lot of those changes seem to be just a full-on embrace of social media and a lot of the things

the mannequin challenge the European tour is done and most recently when you were heavily involved in was the awkward reporter. So how did that how did that come about? Where you were you called upon to kind of instigate that or how did that how did that begin? Yes, so I think it was the week before I was out in Dubai practicing and one of the media staff fang me up and they said, look, we've got this idea, you cannot say a word to anyone, this is top secret. And told me the idea and it was like straight away, I wanted to be a part of it. like straight away I wanted to be a part of it. They actually wanted me and Nicholas Coltsarts for maybe an hour and a half in this sort of tent studio set up and we stayed in there for over

five hours. It was just like, it was just such a laugh we couldn't leave because we stayed in there for the entire I mean I walked off my program in the morning I walked off the ninth green straight into the tent they brought some food into me and that sort of stuff and I we just couldn't leave because you're looking down the drawer for the afternoon guys that were coming through and it was just like well I've got to stay for it I've got to stay for it and well I've got to stay for it and it just kept going and we both just had such a laugh that you couldn't leave it alone. And it sort of, I mean, I lost my voice as well.

I was struggling with a bit of a cold and that's why I sang like a sort of dolphin when I'm laughing in it. But it was, I was just such good fun that, yeah, you couldn't leave it really. Well, I think it might have been you that tweeted it, somebody tweeted something about that a lot got left on the cutting room floor and got taken out. So if there's ever a place where you can share what got taken out of the video, this is a safe place.

So what was some of the best part that got cut out? Yeah, I mean, what was that? Maybe there was 20, 20 old players in the program in the afternoon, and we literally did something with everyone. For me, the best bit that was cut out was, so we got Polter on the first tea and the lad Tom Gray, who was the awkward reporter, went to go and interview him and started interviewing Polter and then sort of touched his ear as if he's getting told something in his ear and said, oh, no, actually, sorry, and we don't need you. And just sort of like, what off? And yeah, we all know what palt can be like. And it was just the perfect guy to do that too.

But that didn't make the edit. And then we got Sully and the Sullivan interview and him and the guy again said, oh, halfway through us. Sorry, this interview's just not working. Do you mind if we use the box? So we brought out a little box. It's like an inch or two and Sully stood on that and he was laughing.

He took it great. And that didn't get put in either. But a couple of things like that, just hilarious. Oh, man. I got to see the B-roll from this. I could only imagine what else is out there. That's fantastic. So you've indicated that you plan to play more golf

in the US this year. I can guess it's kind of some of the reasons as a golf fan, but in your own words, if I were to ask you, why do you want to come play more on the PGA tour? What would you say? I think overall, I think the golf course is a set up a little bit tougher. And, you know, for me, if you're going to play full time on the PGA like generally like Justin Rose or Luke Donald or or or or Pulse. You've got to live there and I'm I mean I'm a I'm a homeboy really and I don't think I I don't think I ever really see myself living in America

particularly with for starting a family over here and it's not just about me it's about my wife being happy and having people around her when I'm away and so I think there's an opportunity to play maybe seven or eight events in the States and try and play that top 50 if I can keep myself in and progress up the world rankings and keep yourself in that in that schedule that For me that's the perfect schedule to play one or two around the majors or the world golf events in America and See see how I get on. I mean this year. I'm gonna try and play a little bit more over there and

See how it is. I've played a little bit, but not enough to really have given it a go. And hopefully I'll get the chances to play this year a bit more over there. And see how I get on really. So basically what you're saying is what you saw at Hazelteam made you never want to live in the States. It's what you're talking about. Oh, I could never say that. I was going to go for the headline there. No, I'm messing with you.

But I think, and I want to, I'm curious to ask it because I think most people tend to associate UK and US culture rather closely because we speak the same languages and we're obviously very strong allies and there's a lot of cross-cultural awareness, I would say. But in your opinion, what are some of, I'm not even not familiar with how much time you've spent in the US and what are some of the bigger cultural differences that you see? Do you know what? Where I live at home, we can walk out our front door and walk into a little village and there's about five or six coffee shops. We can go and get our

groceries or whatever and it's so nice to just this five minutes and minute walk and you know we can go and have a nice coffee, sit outside that sort of thing whereas in the States I sort of feel like you've got a drive everywhere and that's one of the, this is one of the little appeals to us about living in England really and you know like I said it's a lot to do with not just myself, but my wife and family as well, really. It's all of a sudden from being in a small little world in Bristol, in England, to being in a massive country where you don't know anyone.

Probably more than likely you'd live on a golf course behind gates or whatever it would be. It's a massive change and you know we're so settled here and my golf's trending in the right direction that it would be a big change I suppose and right direction that it would be a big change I suppose and I still don't know how I'll get on golf wise over there yet. So you never know. I mean in like five years time, my opinion of that might change and I might say, shall we give it a go? Should we look at buying somewhere over there? But right now, I don't really feel like I'm in that position. Yeah, I think that's kind of something that not a lot of people on the American side of the pond maybe have that appreciation for.

So, nothing in your answer surprised me there, but I wanted to get your perspective on that. Tying it back to my favorite topic. Most listeners this podcast will be shocked. It took almost 20 minutes before I dove into the Ryder Cup. But you were obviously a first time member of the team this year. Was there anything that sticks out about that experience at Hazel team that really surprised you, that really shocked you?

I know people are familiar with the Ryder Cup. You watch it on TV, you talk to players about it. After experiencing it, was there anything out there that really popped out and surprised you? I think the scale of it is such a massive event. And to be honest, even when I come back home since, more people will stop you to talk to you off the back of probably the rider cup and the attention that it gets from non-goal first as well, I think is amazing. I was in London just before the rider cup this was and a couple of people stopped me when I was on the tube in London and that never really

happened before to me and I sort of think even when I've been home as well it's like a lot more people sort of recognise you a little bit more and that's purely down to the scale of the rider cup and it's like once you've had a taste for it it's it gets in your blood and you need more and more of it. And for me, it's just the best event you can play in. And I was on the losing team, you know. If we'd won it, I don't know how I'd be feeling, but I'm certainly desperate to make the team in Paris.

And then the team after that and the team after that. And I've really seen myself as the rider cup in a huge part of my career. Going into the event or how I guess, how disappointed were you after all the build up, knowing that you were going to be on that team for quite some time, that you sat out that first day. Was that something that you were aware was going to be the case?

Or was that kind of a really disappointing moment for you that first day? Yeah, I'm not going to lie, I was absolutely gutted. I didn't, I suppose I didn't expect, in my mind, I didn't expect to be playing the first morning in the four sims, but then you don't know who's the noon. So myself and Fitsy and Raffern, we were hitting a few balls maybe 9-10 o'clock, then we went and played a couple of holes and mentally I was absolutely ready to go in my own mind. I'm playing this afternoon and I'm ready. And then Paul Laurie had the misfortune, I suppose, having to tell me that I wasn't playing in the afternoon. And I've never been so tired without playing. But I was so drained, I went up and sat in our team room probably for two or three hours and didn't move,

just shattered because I think I just got myself that pumped and psyched to go in the afternoon and then oh sorry Woody you're not you're not going but then that night we had obviously had a good sort of come back in the afternoon. The whole team were together in the locker room and Clarkier angst that me and Fitsy were going to be playing Saturday and the whole team roared, got behind us and all of a sudden there was like a switch. We were back in it and I was right back on it mentally. So yeah, it's a real sort of up and down of emotions. You played very well once you recalled upon

where the nerves as crazy as you expected when you did tee it up on Saturday. Yeah, I was nervous. Probably the most would have been the night before and then maybe on the range a little bit. Once I was out on the course I felt so comfortable with with Justin and Comfortable because of the way I was playing as well. So

Yeah, even though it's that bigger stage once you're on the golf course. It's just golf and it's You know, we I mean we play in front of crowds obviously but they're exceptionally big but it's still you don't really notice how big they are because you're just still plotting along in your own world and I felt I felt right at home there and I think that sort of showed in my golf really. I played really nicely, very steady and winning our point was just awesome feeling really. You played with Justin Rose. Did he say anything to you in particular before heading out there?

Did he take you under as wing at all to help with the pressure? Yeah, we had a nice chat the night before and then we were WhatsApping a bit Friday night also as well and for somebody, he's obviously a senior member of our team, one of the most experienced players and you know, a Olympic champion, former US Open Champion and for me someone I've looked up to for a long time and to have his to feel like he's guys I'm around you when you're heading out for your first rider cup is pretty pretty comforting and and also I've got to say, food she's caddy was brilliant with myself and punk my caddy. We were both rookies,

but when we were out on the course, the four of you felt like a unit and it was, you just loved every minute. You're in the team room and there's six new people on the team. So I imagine that dynamic is just, I mean there's obviously guys that have been there many times before but then there's the half the team has not been there before. Who's leading that room? Who's talking amongst the players? Who's firing people up? Who's making speeches? Like what sticks out to you as far as your memory and who was in charge of that room when you were in it? Well, you know, we obviously all saw Rory that week how pumped he was, but he was so up for it as well behind the scenes and Sergio was another great one in our team room.

Yeah, when Darren would be talking to us in the evening, we'd have a team meet in and Darren would say his thing or show us a video and got everyone, he had the room on his side instantly. And then, you know, Rory or Sergio would just chip in with a little comment themselves from their experience, obviously, of Ryder Cups and it was probably aimed at us rookies, but it was just sort of mainly those two that would speak a little bit. I'm Polter, I've got to say I'm sure it was hard for him being a eight years, all I can picture is European dominance and those three guys, and Henrik and Rose, they've been a huge part of that. And to sort of sit in the same team room and listen to them, telling you their real experiences and you'll expect this and this should happen and this,

you know, don't expect this and that sort of thing, it just helps with, you know, getting your mind sort of set for what's coming up really. So, having team spirit wise, it was unreal. Obviously, the crowd and the fan behavior was a topic of discussion on basically any outlet. Was it a topic discussion in the team room as well or amongst the team and was it something that you guys turned to kind of for motivation? Yeah, absolutely that. It was a topic in the team room. Obviously our top guys were targeted more than others and it's different because you don't

really get that in Europe. I think we did just use it as complete motivation. What can we do about it? Nothing. These guys, they've all had a few drinks and that sort of thing. They're there for a great time. Not everybody who goes to the Ryder Cup is a gold fan. They're sports fans as well.

So they might not necessarily know how it goes down to the gold tournament. But for me, I don't mind it because I think it adds to the atmosphere, it creates that edge and It wouldn't bother me if they said anything to me like that or whatever You know, he generally just learned to ignore it and and get on with it, but You know, it was a You know, I mean, I was out with Rory a couple of times in the practice round, it wasn't too bad, I mean he was getting a bit of grief but I think that was probably a lot to do with the fact he just won 11 million a week before.

But I know during the tournament it got pretty bad to him and I think that's why he was so fired up and probably why he showed it so much as well. I mean I think it's obviously a line but I don't mind it too much. Yeah I thought it was about 95% okay and part of the event, spirit of the event but But I mean, I was there and heard some things as well that I just thought, you know, like, even at this level, this special little event, I just don't think that's kind of part of the game. But most of all, for the most part, I just thought most of the taunts were just

so incredibly unfunny. But I was curious, did you, was there a taunt that sticks out to you that was, was actually funny? Did you actually hear anything that you thought was good banter? I had on Saturday somebody shouted over, hey Justin who's your partner? Or who's the tall guy?

And then in the singles on Sunday, my wife was obviously walking around, you know, alongside Paulina Gratski, Dustin's partner, and she got told, shout it out, hey, you all know Paulina and stuff like this, and, you know, like mocking her a bit, because obviously Paulina's a, you know, a blonde, you know, very nice looking girl. So, yeah, but it was all harmless really, but hopefully in a year or two they'll actually know who I am. So, my next question was, what was the meanest thing you heard? Was that it or was there is there? That was it. Yeah, to me, it wasn't. Yeah, I don't think I was ever

going to be a huge target, although obviously stand out a little bit because of my height, but I don't think I'm well known enough in the states at the moment to really be a big target. enough in the States at the moment to really be a big target. You know, when you're in the same team as Rory and the likes of Sergio and that sort of thing, of course, they're going to be the crowd's main target aren't they? Because there are biggest assets. Right. So after that you lost 1711, I was at your guys press conference afterward. And it just, it, to me, it didn't seem like you guys just lost I thought you guys were incredible sportsman about it laughing joking with each other

There was it's a little different situation obviously than 2014 on the US side having lost three in a row But there was no finger pointing there was there was just that still team camaraderie I want to know what did you guys do after that press conference? Was there like a big did you guys all go drink beers together, hang out, stay up late? What was that atmosphere like after the press conference? It was all actually very surprising to me as well. I think Europe just, we've all seen it over the years.

I mean Europe come together really well. And I think that showed, I mean, I think Rosie tweeted a selfie of us just before the closing ceremony and we're all there sort of smiling and I think we took a bit of a stick for that. But we're all, do you know what? We all sort of switched our minds straight away to Paris and winning it back. And as soon as that press conference had finished, it was like, well, it's done now. You know, let's have a good night or whatever and move on. night or whatever and move on and everyone put in as much as they possibly could that week and it didn't happen for us. But yeah, I mean, obviously a few other boys started got on it and yeah, I had to sort of look after the misses really because she was pregnant in that stage show. I'd lost my drinking partner and I'm not the best

drinker anyway. So I'll leave that to Sully. He's pretty good. It sounds like you know you had a great overall first experience despite the loss and I think that's kind of in the spirit of the event both what you said there like you know you lost but but at the same time, you guys had, Europe had won for so many years in a row, that it was probably good for the event, for the US team to win in an overall, even mentioned something about that. He kind of felt happy, at least a little bit,

for the US fans, like they've been wanting this for a really long time, so. That's why I took away from it. I think we're on the American side, we're a little bit more soil losers than you guys were but I'm looking forward to Paris as well But if you last writer-cup question I promise but this has been really enlightening to me But if you were to do it all over again or if you could go back

What's something like you wish you knew going into it or wish you could tell yourself before going into that week? I Probably just say it is just golf because the build up to the rider cup I felt like it took over my life and I put a lot of pressure on myself to play well that week because I think well you're playing for 11 other guys, you're playing for the captain the vice captains the European tour staff that are there the tour every gold fan in Europe and You know the the scale of it the people that are watching around the world and I put a lot of pressure on myself to

make try make sure I was on the top top of my game really and I probably over did that a little bit going in but you know I happen to play well but you know we can all revert back to what we know when we're on the golf course and that's playing a good golf and the next time I'll feel like well you just sort of you've been through it so you know what's come in and you can prepare yourself mentally for it but because I was a rookie I didn't know what was coming and I didn't know how the crowds would be I didn't know yeah just lots of things in general really but but now I'll actually feel like, well, I've

been through this before, I can do it again, and, you know, so much more determined as well, next time to win it back. Sounds good. Well, I'll let you, I'll let you out of here on that, man. That was, this was a lot of fun, and best a lot of fun and best of luck with the birth of your first child coming up here soon and we'll Most of our listeners are from the States and I was so I can say we'll look forward to seeing you play more in the States in the coming year I look forward to it. Yeah, what's what's bubble using a pink golf ball for by the way? Oh, man Don't get me started on that. You think that that, do you think that I'm doing that at Augusta? Oh my god, that's a good point. I've just seen him.

He's just flying the green on the third with a pink ball. Yeah, that's not right, is it? No, yeah, we're recording this on Thursday night and over in Europe and Bubba's playing the third hole right now at Riera. And yeah, there's a pink golf ball. And I can't believe he's not getting more ridicule for this. Can you, can you help me out here?

Can we get this ridicule going for him? Mind you, speak just done the same with a white ball, so but yeah, that's really weird. Is this the first you've seen of this? Yeah. He left up to, he was playing in the title's pro v for a long time and he signed with Volvick this colored the colored ball company like with just at the start of this season. That's that's a that's a strange move but um yeah we'll see how it goes for him but uh this is why you need to follow no laying up on twitter we've been making fun of this for like months okay so I'll follow you all right Chris man thank you for the time and best of luck in the coming weeks man cheers That's better than most. Better than most.