The Chris Wood column

Last updated: 8th September 2010

Hello again! This week I am in Crans-sur-Sierre in the Swiss Alps for the Omega European Masters.

It is now September and do we know it! It is freezing cold up here in the mountains - bobble-hat weather!

Everywhere you look there is a stunning view of mountains or deep valleys, it is very beautiful but we are all wrapped up like skiers.

It might not be one of the best courses we play every year but absolutely everyone loves being here. It is my third time and what a great place it is to play. In terms of playing conditions the toughest aspect is the greens which can be very difficult.

They are the classic "upturned saucer" types which can be hard to hold with approaches and no less difficult with the scrambling shots that result.

Often you are having to hit onto a green with an upslope which then peaks and runs down to the hole. What makes it more tricky is that the rough is quite thick-ish so lob wedge is the only option.

The rough makes the release unpredictable and you can't play the bump and run option - pretty tough really.

Since the PGA Championship at Whistling Straits I have been working hard on my swing. Me and my coach have really attacked it so I'm in a little bit of a transitional mode at the moment.

Talking of Whistling Straits, the big issue after the conclusion was Dustin Johnson's penalty shots in the bunker on the final hole.

I didn't see it happen because I'd got home by that stage and was out with friends trying to forget about golf for a bit.

But I've seen what happened and it was tough on Dustin. There were so many bunkers on that course that I'd got it into my head that if I saw sand, it was a bunker.

Easy enough you'd think but what happened to Dustin shows what can happen when the ball goes in the crowd, when a player hits an errant shot, when the pressure of a final hole in a major fries your brain.

The other big issue since I last talked to you is the Ryder Cup selections. I haven't heard much discussion of the picks this week yet (but then I've been out on the course a lot!).

I'm surprised Paul Casey didn't get a spot but it was always going to be tough and I would have picked Padraig Harrington myself.

I've got so much respect for his game and can't help but think that he'd be a nightmare opponent in matchplay golf - so tough, so difficult to ever get rid of, even if you were three up you wouldn't feel comfortable.

I was playing myself last Sunday but I have heard all about Edoardo Molinari's three birdie finish which deserved the selection. I haven't played with him, but I did face his brother Francesco in the Seve Trophy last year (me and Ross Fisher beat him and Anders Hansen twice!).

One thing stands out for me - Paul Casey moved up to number eight in the world last week and still didn't get a pick. That is so great for European golf, it proves how strong we are.

Right, I'm off for some food. Last night I took my girlfriend to the famous Argentinean Steakhouse in Crans. I might find somewhere else tonight because she's vegetarian!