Bristol's Chris Wood has known for several weeks that he was likely to make the Great Britain and Ireland team for the Vivendi Trophy.

His performances over the last four months and his meteoric rise up the European Order of Merit meant that he forced his way into captain Paul McGinley's side to face Continental Europe next week.

But, just as important for Wood, it gives him the chance to prove to Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie that despite being 21 he is prepared to take on the Americans next year.

It also means that Wood will hopefully get the chance to meet one of his boyhood heroes – Seve Ballesteros – whose idea the biennial Vivendi Trophy was.

Ballesteros had a brain tumour removed last year and Wood said: "I really do hope that Seve will be well enough to come to the event.

"He is still a worldwide golfing icon and someone every pro golfer looks to because of the way he played the game. His imagination and powers of recovery on the golf course were legendary and I only hope that he will be able to make it.

"Since the Open I have really moved into contention. I've played for England as an amateur and had a lot of rounds at county level – but nothing as rarefied as this. I spoke to a few of the guys last week and we are all looking forward to taking part."

The event will be a break from the usual four-day tournament format, with competitors on Thursday and Friday playing in four-ball matches, greensomes on Saturday mornings and foursomes on Saturday afternoon, with the singles matches on Sunday.

Wood joked: "The pressures will be totally different to tournament play and it means that you can blame your partner if you lose."

Wood is not getting too carried away with reports linking him as a possible dark horse for next year's Ryder Cup. He said: "The Ryder Cup is a year away and a lot can happen between now and then."