Six of the current top nine in the points race do not have a cap between them, but Wood has already shown what he can do by finishing fifth in the 2008 Open as an amateur and then third at Turnberry last July.

He was also unbeaten on his Britain and Ireland debut against Continental Europe in the Vivendi Trophy that followed – and his last three finishes have been third, fifth and sixth.

After the disappointment of a closing 77 when leading the BMW PGA at Wentworth two weeks ago the 6ft 5in golfer, able to commute from home across the Severn Bridge, hit back with six birdies in a flawless display.

Yet Wood, who ended day one in front of Welshman Bradley Dredge and Australian Andrew Dodt, is not ready yet to declare the Ryder Cup his number one target.

“I would say it’s completely in the back of my mind,” he said. “It’s not been a massive goal of mine, but I know my game is capable enough of playing at that level.

“I’m just looking to win now. Obviously I’ve started to get myself in contention more often, so the more I do it the more likely it’s going to happen.

“I’ve just got to stay patient – and play good golf.”

The best of his birdies came at the 439-yard eighth, his 16th, where he struck a nine-iron out of a fairway bunker to five feet.

Best of the Irish today was Simon Thornton on three under for a share of eighth place.

Last week’s Madrid Masters winner Luke Donald, at ninth in the world the highest-ranked player in the field, managed only a four over 75.

But leading local hope Rhys Davies, the player he pushed into second place in Spain, is very much in the hunt again following a 67.

Dredge finished second in this event three years ago, albeit on another of the courses at the resort, and after his round pointed out an additional advantage of playing on home soil.

“I actually prefer it when I get out and there’s more friends and family in the crowd,” he said.

“I feel like if I hit it in the rough there’ll always be someone there to kick it back out ... only joking.”

Ross McGowan, currently fifth in the cup standings just behind Donald, was five under with four to play, but lost a ball on the driveable 15th and, after double-bogeying there, dropped further shots at the 16th and long 18th for a one-under 70.

On the same mark were Spanish Open champion Alvaro Quiros, thanks in a part to a hole-in-one on the 189-yard third, and cup captain Colin Montgomerie.

Those two were playing together and it was another opportunity for Montgomerie to admire the 27-year-old’s immense power, an asset he believes could be really useful against the Americans in four months’ time.

Simon Khan, back in action after his life-changing victory at Wentworth, sank a 35-foot putt for an eagle two on the 15th, but played the rest in two over for a 71.