Current World No. 1535: "I've still got one more Ryder Cup in me"
Former European Ryder Cup player Chris Wood has revealed he has been diagnosed with chronic anxiety and burnout.
Former European Ryder Cup member Chris Wood says he believes he has one more appearance left in the contest as he opened up on his battle with chronic anxiety.
Wood made the admission in an interview with Press Association ahead of this week's International Series event on the Asian Tour.
The winner of the International Series' order of merit will get a spot in the 2025 LIV Golf League and currently John Catlin leads the way.
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Wood, now 36 years old, has struggled with loss of form and injuries in recent years, making only two Challenge Tour appearances in 2023.
He has only played one DP World Tour event this year (Qatar Masters) but is now hoping to get his career back on track by getting his card back.
Wood is perhaps best known for his successful amateur career that included finishing fifth at the 2008 Open.
He also qualified for the 2016 European Ryder Cup team at Hazeltine.
Back then, the top nine players earned automatic qualification.
Darren Clarke selected Thomas Pieters, Martin Kaymer and Lee Westwood as his captain's picks.
Wood told PA that he has been diagnosed with chronic anxiety.
"And burnout," he said.
"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. I took a whole year off and this year has been about trying to get a card in my hand again.
"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."
He added: "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.
"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 played in two matches in his 2016 Ryder Cup appearance.
He was paired with Justin Rose in the foursomes and the duo beat Jimmy Walker and Zach Johnson.
Wood was defeated by Dustin Johnson in the Sunday singles.
Europe lost that Ryder Cup 17-11.
