Chris Wood Fires 3-Under, British Open Leader in the Clubhouse

Twenty-one-year-old Englishman Chris Wood earned his European Tour card prior to the 2009 season. A few months before, the then-amateur, making his first British Open appearance, tied for fifth at Royal Birkdale.

Twelve months later, Wood is again on the first page of the leaderboard at the Open Championship. And now, following four steady-as-she-goes rounds at Turnberry, Wood is the leader in the clubhouse. After a 3-under final 18 -- the best round of the day by two strokes -- Wood is at 1-under for the week, currently two back of leaders Lee Westwood, Mathew Goggin and Tom Watson.

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Being the leader in the clubhouse doesn't necessarily mean much -- Ian Poulter held that distinction at the '08 Open and it didn't slow up Padraig Harrington any -- but it's also nice to post a score in borderline brutal conditions, retire to the pub, and watch the rest of the field struggle to hold it together.

"Fourteen, 15, 16 are tough holes. If you can get through there in level par and try and pick one up [a birdie] on 17 ... if you can get through those three holes at level par you're doing nicely," Wood told ABC's Tom Rinaldi shortly after his round. "But [No.] 18's no pushover, either with the pressure, and it's a pretty tricky second shot, as well. So, 1-under I think is going to be a shot for sure."

If 59-year-old Tom Watson winning his sixth Open Championship was the story heading into Sunday, Chris Wood has to be No. 2. And at 21, he would be the third-youngest British Open champion in the tournament's 138-year history, after Willie Auchterlonie (21 in 1893) and Young Tom Morris (17 in 1868). At least according to Peter Alliss' eyewitness accounts.*

Now all Wood can do is wait.

*Joke

Latest British Open Photos

Chris Wood of England chips to the 17th green during the final round of the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Sunday, July 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)

Lee Westwood of England plays out of the rough on the fifth hole during the final round of the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Sunday, July 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Lee Westwood of England tees off on the seventh hole during the final round of the British Open championship at the Turnberry Golf Club in Scotland July 19, 2009. Turnberry Lighthouse built on the ruins of Turnberry Castle is seen in the background. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN)

Reuters

French golfer Thomas Levet picks his ball up from the 15th hole after his hole in one, on the final day of the 138th British Open Championship at Turnberry Golf Course in south west Scotland, on July 19, 2009. AFP PHOTO/STRINGER (Photo credit should read STRINGER/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Lee Westwood reacts after making his putt for birdie on the sixth hole during the final round of the British Open Golf Championship at the Turnberry Golf Club in Scotland July 19, 2009. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN SPORT GOLF)

Reuters

Ross Fisher of England watches his shot on the eighth fairway during the final round of the British Open championship at the Turnberry Golf Club in Scotland July 19, 2009. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN SPORT GOLF)

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Stewart Cink of the US plays from the ninth tee during the final round of the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Sunday, July 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Peter Morrison)

Lee Westwood of England gestures after his birdie putt on the seventh green during the final round of the British Open championship at the Turnberry Golf Club in Scotland July 19, 2009. REUTERS/Eddie Keogh (BRITAIN SPORT GOLF)

Reuters

Ross Fisher of England hits his tee shot on the ninth hole during the final round of the British Open championship at the Turnberry Golf Club in Scotland July 19, 2009. Turnberry Lighthouse built on the ruins of Turnberry Castle is seen in the background. REUTERS/Russell Cheyne (BRITAIN)

Reuters

Jim Furyk of the US plays out of the rough on the fifth hole during the final round of the British Open Golf championship, at the Turnberry golf course, Scotland, Sunday, July 19, 2009. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)