Former Ryder Cup star Chris Wood completed a commanding wire-to-wire victory at the MENA Golf Tour Q School on Saturday, carding a second consecutive even-par 72 to finish six-under-par and seal his place on the 2025–26 season by a six-shot margin at Troia Golf Course.
The three-time DP World Tour winner had led from the opening round thanks to a sparkling 66 and produced another composed, business-like performance in the final round to close out the tournament without ever looking under serious pressure.
Wood mixed three birdies – at the first, eighth and 14th – with three bogeys at the second, 12th and 15th, as calmer conditions made scoring more accessible on Saturday.
At the opening hole, where he had favoured a two-iron off the tee all week to avoid trouble left, Wood pulled his drive and found himself blocked out, but showed his quality with a superb wedge and up-and-down for birdie. A delicate pitch to four feet added another birdie at the eighth, before he continued his strong play on the par-five 14th – a hole he played in four-under for the week – driving the fairway, hitting a two-iron into the greenside bunker and getting up and down for his third birdie of the day.
“Different day, really. No wind, which obviously makes the course play a little bit easier, but it’s a tricky course,” said Wood.
“Like I’ve said all week, there’s trouble everywhere. The objective was just to qualify this week and get some events lined up. It was nice to play with the two lads today. There was some good golf played by those two boys and I look forward to going on to next week’s event.”
A Step Forward in Wood’s Comeback Journey
Wood’s victory marks another important step in his return to competitive golf following what he has described as significant mental challenges in recent seasons.
“I’ve had enormous challenges mentally over the last few years, so that is the important thing for me,” he added. “The first couple of days, I felt like that area of things was outstanding. I’m coming quite a long way mentally, and that’s a massive deal for me.”
Scotland’s Sebastian Sandin and England’s Will Marshall finished tied second alongside France’s Nicolas Calvet at level par, with Sandin relishing the experience of competing alongside the former Ryder Cup player in the final group.
“It was great to play with Chris. He was very kind to me and Will,” Sandin said. “It was great to see how he approaches the game up close and how it differs from mine.”
Ireland’s Alex Maguire and Germany’s Max Schmitt shared fifth place on two-over-par.
The tournament concluded with the top 50 finishers earning Category 3 Tour cards for the full 2025–26 season. Players finishing outside the top 50 received Category 9A status, granting entry into the opening two events of the season in Portugal.
Season Gets Underway
The MENA Golf Tour now moves straight into competitive action at the PGA Aroeira Challenge (25–27 November), followed by the Rolear Algarve Classic at Amendoeira (2–4 December), before heading to Egypt for a four-event swing in January and February.
With guaranteed $100,000 prize funds, 48-hour payouts and Official World Golf Ranking points across the season, the MENA Golf Tour continues to strengthen its position as both a development pathway for emerging talent and a proven platform for established professionals rebuilding their careers.
Final Leaderboard
-6: Chris Wood (ENG) – 66-72-72
Even: Sebastian Sandin (SCO) – 72-70-74
Will Marshall (ENG) – 70-74-70
Nicolas Calvet (FRA) – 72-74-70
+2: Alex Maguire (IRL), Max Schmitt (GER)
