Former Ryder Cup star Chris Wood has made a bold career move, entering LIV Golf's qualifying event next month despite knowing it will trigger a year-long ban from the PGA Tour. The 38-year-old Englishman, who has battled severe anxiety that forced him away from the game, stated his simple motivation: "I need golf."
From Rock Bottom to a Fresh Start
Chris Wood's career has been on a turbulent journey. At his peak, he triumphed at the prestigious BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in 2016, reached a career-high world ranking of 22, and represented Europe in the Ryder Cup that same year. However, he then faced a profound personal struggle with anxiety that led him to abandon the sport for six to eight months, causing him to lose his tour card.
"I went through hell," Wood admitted, reflecting on the period before a tentative return in 2023. His coach, James Martin, helped him rebuild his game from what Wood describes as "rock bottom," initially using just a 6-iron and a putter to avoid the "trauma" associated with his other clubs.
The LIV Golf Gambit and PGA Tour Consequences
Wood's recent form shows promising signs of recovery. After narrowly missing out at DP World Tour Q-School, he qualified for and won a MENA Tour event in Portugal by six shots in early December – his first victory in over nine years. Now ranked world No. 750, he is setting his sights even higher.
He has entered the LIV Golf Promotions event in Florida, where only the top two finishers from a field of 87 will secure a coveted spot on the Saudi-backed tour for 2026, with the winner also earning $200,000. By teeing up, he automatically incurs a PGA Tour ban for the entire year.
"Yes, obviously it is divisive," Wood acknowledged regarding the LIV Golf circuit. "But I am not going to sit at home and wait for invites... I need to have a card in my hand. I need to be competitive."
A New Mindset and Unwavering Belief
Now working with sports coach Dr Edward Coughlan, Wood views this chapter as a "second career." He says his mental state is the best it has been in years, though he lacks the competitive confidence that only results can bring.
"Can I get back to where I was? Yes 100%," he asserted with conviction. "I truly believe that I have still got great golf in me. We will see where next year goes." For Wood, the LIV Golf qualifying represents a critical opportunity to play at the highest level again, a risk he is willing to take to reclaim his place in the sport.
