CHRIS Wood's chances of winning a place on the PGA European Tour next season are balanced on a knife-edge after a third round two under par 70 score at the Second Stage of Q School in Spain.

Wood was in command on three under for the day, but bogeyed the 15th after a pulled tee shot left him stuck behind an olive tree. His 7-iron escape shot then hit some overhanging branches and he failed to chip and putt for a par. It was his only dropped shot of the day. He is now tied 15th in the event with only the top 20 progressing to the next stage.

"I didn't play that well today, but I just can't get anything going on the greens. It's been the story of all three days," said Wood. "The key here is patience and I'm just really frustrated.

The 20-year-old's feelings were shared by most of the 80 players at Montenmedio in southern Spain this week. The course has suffered from massive rainfall just before the tournament began; 10 inches of rain fell in just two days recently and has left the greens soft and lumpy which is making putting very tricky.

"The longest putt I holed all day was from 10ft," said Wood who is also struggling with his swing. "I got here early in the morning to try to find a bit of a rhythm, but it was my chipping that let me down a bit."

Despite his disappointing display, Wood did move up from tied 21st after his third round, but needs to shoot under par again on the final day. "I know that I shouldn't have any problems hitting another 70, but there's a lot on this tournament and plenty of pressure. I don't want to miss and only have a handful of events next year, I want to be on Tour. That's why I get up in the morning," he said.

Wood faces a tortuous final round because he is only one shot inside the cut mark with 18 holes to play. If Wood finishes 21st or worse today, he will be limited to just seven invitations for Tour events next year despite his 5th place finish in the Open Championship in July as an amateur.