Wood Leads The Way In The Land Of The Pharaoh’s.

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Chris Wood has returned to competition following the Festive Season break superbly leading the way in the Land of the Pharoah’s.

Wood heads to the third and final round in front by a shot at 11-under following a six-under 66 on day two of the inaugural Eqypt Golf Series –  Address Marassi Resort event being staged on the stunning Al Marassi Resort course close to the Mediterranean shoreline.

It is a first event of 2026 for the 38-year-old English golfer after join his very young family for Christmas with the joy in the first week of December in capturing the Rolear Algarve Classic in Spain.

He also toasted the Festive Season leading the MENA Tour Order of Merit after the second event of the revamped MENA Tour, and now on his return the current Tour No. 2 is primed to regain the No. 1 spot having posted seven birdies for a 36-hole 12-under leading tally.

Though Wood could have been leading by two but he bogeyed the last, but never mind.

“There was a little bit of wind and it moved around quite a bit, actually different to what the forecast said, so we probably had three different winds today,” said Wood.

“Eight birdies is really nice. I had a slight drop in concentration on 10 with a three-putt from about 20 or 25 feet down the hill, and then I hit one in the water down the last, but I’m not worried about it really. I was just trying to be a bit braver off that tee today rather than bailing out like I did yesterday, and it was a fully committed shot, so I can’t complain about that.

“Taking a one-shot lead into the final round, the game plan is just to try and do the same again. I’m not one for looking too much at where I am, just stick to what I’m doing.

“It’s a similar situation to when I won in Portugal and got pushed all the way there, so I expect it’ll be the same tomorrow.”

Ireland’s Alex Maguire, who enjoyed the overnight first round lead by three shots, carded a second day 70 to be in second place at seven-under while England’s Charlie Crockett (66) is third on 10-under.

Wood is a three-time winner (2013-’16) on the DP World Tour and with his victory early last month a first taste of success since his stunning 2016 BMW PGA Tour triumph at DPWT HQ.

Now, and much like the ole No. 272 bus, Wood is staring at back-to-back victories on the MENA Tour.

Though Maguire will be out to ensure the bus is late.

“Coming off a really good round, it’s always tough to back it up, especially when you hit it in the bushes off the first tee,” said Maguire.

“I made a bad double on the opening hole and it was so cold this morning that the ball was flying a club and a half shorter, and I didn’t adjust well for the first few holes. I even put one in the water on a par five because I went a club less.

“From about the fifth hole onwards I played really good golf and made five birdies, and I probably could have had a few more.

“I hit a few inside 15 feet and felt very good with the putter. I ended up okay, but it could have been better. I robbed a few yesterday, so I guess it all evens out.”

Many thanks Rick Bevan,  WSP Global



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