For most players, The International Series is a stepping stone to elite golf, a chance to climb the ranks and earn a spot in the LIV Golf League.
But for one former Ryder Cup star, this series offers far more than career progression—it’s a lifeline.
Chris Wood, a name once synonymous with success, now views the Asian Tour events as a key part of his personal and professional comeback.
Back in 2016, Wood was soaring high. He burst onto the scene in 2008 as the top amateur at The Open, held at Royal Birkdale, with a T5 finish. A year later, he placed T3 at Turnberry.
He didn’t stop there. Wood claimed four major titles between 2012 and 2016, including the Thailand Open and the prestigious BMW PGA Championship, securing his spot on Europe’s Ryder Cup team in 2016.
His rookie performance was solid, partnering with Justin Rose for a win against Zach Johnson and Jimmy Walker, though he narrowly lost his singles match to Dustin Johnson.
Fast forward to 2024, and Wood’s journey has taken a different turn. Now 36, he is gearing up to compete in two major events on the Asian Tour’s International Series—the Black Mountain Championship and International Series Thailand.
For Wood, these tournaments are far more than a chance to play; they’re part of his ongoing battle with anxiety, which has plagued his game and mental health for years.
Wood said: “I was diagnosed with chronic anxiety and burnout. I’ve been through a really rubbish time over the last few years where my golf has really impacted me mentally.
“I’ve actually been like that since 2019 but it took maybe four years before I did anything about it.
It took literally bottoming out to stop, and I didn’t play at all last year. I took a whole year off, and this year has been about trying to get a card in my hand again.”
Wood’s goal this year was to play in six to eight tournaments, and with a few Challenge Tour and DP World Tour appearances under his belt, the Thailand double-header marks an essential chapter in his recovery.
He’s optimistic but realistic: He said: “I’m very open-minded, the important thing is getting a card back in my hand.
I use the word exposure, and these events are upper level, obviously a very high standard.
The fields are great, The International Series tournaments themselves are great, the players have spoken very highly of them.”
Wood’s motivation for returning to these events came after playing alongside International Series leader John Catlin. He explained: “I’ve played a couple of times with John earlier in the year, and we’ve talked about it.
He’s obviously done really well. I played with him in Abu Dhabi in April, along with my friend (English golfer) Lee Slattery.
“He had just shot his 59 (at International Series Macau presented by Wynn) and it was a really good three ball. Me and Slats were both saying how impressed we were with John’s game.”
The warm atmosphere on the Asian Tour, as recommended by fellow Englishman Ollie Fisher, has also attracted Wood. Wood explained: “We are sharing a house this week, and Ollie said to me that one of the big things he’s noticed is how friendly everyone is here.
It’s how it should be and how it was (pre-Covid) really, and one of the things he spoke highly about.”
Wood has also received substantial help from the DP World Tour medical team and their helpline, acknowledging their role in his road to recovery.
Despite the challenges, he remains determined: Wood said: “It’s still very, very hard, but I’m still doing it because I want to, and because I feel like I’ve got so much more to offer. I know the quality of shots I’ve got and I can hit, so that’s why I’m still in it.
“Ten years ago if you had said to me, you will be in this position mentally, I was so unaware of what those words meant, and it takes going through something like this, or someone very close to you going through it, before you can appreciate what those struggles are actually like.”
He continues to believe in his ability to compete at the highest level. “It’s hard because I still believe I’ve even got a Ryder Cup in me, I truly believe that, and I wouldn’t still be putting myself in positions where I feel anxious and exposed unless I felt like it’s going to be worth it.
Wood’s next tests are just around the corner. The action heats up with the Black Mountain Championship scheduled for October 17-20 in Hua Hin, Thailand.
Not skipping a beat, the International Series Thailand picks up the baton from October 23-27 at the Thai Country Club in Bangkok.
Marking the fifth and sixth stops on the 10-event International Series tour, these tournaments are where Chris Wood plans to show his grit and prove that he’s still got plenty of great days on the greens ahead of him.
For more information on The International Series please visit www.internationalseries.com
