Amateur Wood eyes shock Open win

England's Chris Wood said he can become the first amateur since 1930 to win the Open after his third round 73 put him six shots behind leader Greg Norman.

The 20-year-old is the front runner to take the Silver Medal prize for the best amateur as he sits on eight over.

"I'll probably need a 67 or a 66 and I'd need things to go my way," he said of winning the overall championship.

"But Camilo Villegas birdied the last five holes on Friday so the possibility is there."

The last amateur to win the tournament was the legendary Bobby Jones, who won it in 1926, 1927 and 1930.

The only other two amateur winners came in the 19th century with John Ball (1890) and Harold Hilton (1892 and 1897) also members of the exclusive club.

The 6ft 5in Wood is one of two amateurs left in the field contending for the Silver Medal and he is four shots clear of Kent's Tom Sherreard.

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Can Wood really be a contender on Sunday?
"The battle for the Silver Medal will not be in my thoughts at all. I didn't think about it at all today," added Wood.

"I spoke to Tom earlier on the putting green and he said he would be looking out for the scores but I didn't look at them at all.

"You have to concentrate on the main tournament and the Silver Medal comes with it.

"Once you are out on the course you are in your own little world."

Meanwhile, Sherreard was quietly pleased with his round of 76.

"It isn't bad in these conditions. Obviously Chris is my main target," said Sherreard.

"The Silver Medal was my goal and I know it was his. This is what we came here for."

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