Chris Wood commits long-term to Mizuno irons
January 12, 2010

Following a period of iron testing, 2009 PGA European Tour Rookie of the year Chris Wood has entered a long term equipment agreement with Mizuno to play the Japanese manufacturer’s renowned forged irons.

The twenty-two year old Wood turned professional after finishing joint 5th at the 2008 Open Championship and is regarded as one the game’s finest young talents. In a short professional career Wood has risen into the world’s top 75 and came within a shot of a playoff for the 2009 Open Championship between Stewart Cink and Tom Watson.

Since turning professional Wood has remained independent from any equipment commitments, preferring a free choice. Andy Kikidas, European Mizuno Tour Operations Manager commented, "It was important that Chris Wood was comfortable playing our irons before we discussed a contract. We sent a set of MP-62’s and MP-68’s to try back in September – he ended up combining them in one set.

"Chris has a slight cavity in his MP-62’s of which he’ll play the 3/4 iron and a purer blade MP-68 from 5i through to pitching wedge. He’s found that it gives him a nice balance of shotmaking through the set with just a touch more forgiveness in the longer irons.

“Like most of the younger players, Chris is used to updating his equipment as technology develops. So there is the added benefit that Mizuno runs the Official European Tour workshop - which will be at every mainland European tournament he attends. With a team of technicians at each event, Chris’s equipment will be a constant work in progress."

Wood was delighted to follow a long line of Major winners players is his association with Mizuno. "I hadn’t played Mizuno irons until the workshop made me two sets to try at the back end of the season. I was very impressed – I could have put both the MP-62 and MP-68 straight into play straight out of the box. In the end I went with a split of both sets.

"I’ve been using the irons ever since, so signing with Mizuno feels like a natural step. The Tour is still new to me, so having Mizuno’s experience to call on will be a big help. The Mizuno workshop will be at all the major events and the technicians are second to none. I think they can really add something to my game."

Wood joins a number of Mizuno contracted players including Luke Donald, Jonathan Byrd, Taichi Teshima, Jeff Overton and Daniel Vancsik.