Chris Wood has ended a more than nine-year winless drought in sensational fashion winning by six shots at the MENA Tour’s Q-School in Portugal.
Wood, 37 was a class all his own leading the 54-hole event from start to finish and the only player among some 60 starters to be under par on the host Troia Golf Course located on the Altlantic coastline to the south of Lisbon.
Wood posted scores of 66, 72 and closing 72 for his six-under victory tally.
“I’ve had enormous challenges mentally over the last few years, so that is the important thing for me, and I’ve got to try and keep it the important thing,” Wood explained.
“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.”
Three players tied second at level par – Frenchman Nicolas Calvet (70), Scotland’s Sebastian Sandin (74) and England’s Will Marshall (72).
Wood along with his fellow Q-School followers will remain in Portugal for this coming week’s official start to the completely revamped of the 13-event 2025/26 MENA Tour season.
Wood’s success is a much-welcome return to form for the affable Englishman who in recent years has struggled all kinds of demons both on and off the field since the halcyon days in earning four pro career wins, a third in the 2016 Open Championship and selection later that year in European Ryder Cup side.
It was also in 2016 when Wood captured the DP World Tour’s flagship PGA Championship and a 3rd Tour title. Sadly, it was his then last taste of success.
It’s been widely reported how Wood dealt with the decline of his game thought he did not lose his urge to find his competitive feet back on Tour and doing so by drawing on his exemption status, seeking invitations, competing on the secondary Hotel Planner Tour and also the Asian Tour.
This past year Wood teed-up in eight DP World Tour events but the game simply was not there, making the cut in just three and one being a T7th in the Turkish Airlines Open.
So, along came the re-emergance of a fully revamped MENA Tour and with the former long-time DP World Tour administrator Keith Waters at the helm, Wood spoke with Waters and given a revitalised and ‘family-friendly MENA schedule’ as Wood remarked, he’s now got a proper second golfing ‘home’ at least for the ensuing five months.
Ireland’s Alex Maguire and Germany’s Max Schmitt shared fifth place at two-over-par as the Q School concluded with the top 50 finishers earning Category 3 Tour cards for the full 2025-26 season.
Those who didn’t finish in the top 50 received Category 9A cards, granting them entry into the first two events of the season in Portugal.
As mentioned above the Tour moves immediately into competitive action with the PGA Aroeira Challenge (25-27 November), where Wood will line up again as the season officially begins.
The Rolear Algarve Classic at Amendoeira follows on 2-4 December before the Tour heads 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 on offer throughout the season, the MENA Golf Tour continues to position itself as a vital development pathway for emerging professionals and a credible platform for established players seeking to rebuild momentum.
