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England's Chris Wood wins dramatic play-off to reclaim MENA Golf Tour No.1 spot
Former Ryder Cup star sinks clutch birdie at Marassi Golf Course as Egypt swing delivers late drama
- PUBLISHED: Tue 27 Jan 2026, 3:21 PM
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- KT Golf
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Chris Wood produced a nerveless birdie on the first play-off hole to edge out fellow Englishman Charlie Crockett and claim a dramatic victory at the Egypt Golf Series Marassi 1, staged at Address Marassi Golf Resort on the MENA Golf Tour.
The former Ryder Cup star and Crockett finished regulation play locked together at 13 under par after contrasting final rounds. Wood carded a gritty one-under 71, while Crockett surged with a three-under 69 to force extra holes in blustery, dust-filled conditions.
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Returning to the par-five 18th for the play-off, Crockett putted first but watched his birdie attempt slide agonisingly wide. Wood, meanwhile, had set up his chance with a superb two-iron from the semi-rough, leaving himself a six-foot downhill putt. He made no mistake, rolling it home to secure his second MENA Golf Tour title of the season.
The win lifts Wood back to the top of the MENA Golf Tour Rankings, leapfrogging Italy’s Ludovico Addabbo, who finished tied 22nd on two under par.
"It was a really tough day out there. From the start, we could barely see the green on the first tee – it was so dusty and windy, just like some of those proper desert days you get on Tour," said Wood. "I think my experience probably counted a bit today, but it was definitely hard work.
"You sort of know, in play-offs, you usually get one real opportunity. That was mine, and you've got to take it when it comes because the next chance might be too late. I was delighted for (caddie) Lloyd as well – we've been doing such good work together. It was a tough day for scoring, a real team effort, and it's nice to be a back-to-back winner."
Challenging conditions greeted the final group throughout the day, with swirling sand and strong winds making visibility difficult, particularly during the opening holes.
Wood’s final round told a tale of resilience. A costly double bogey seven at the par-five seventh, where he had made birdie in both previous rounds, saw him turn in one-over 37 and seemingly open the door for the chasing pack. But the 38-year-old steadied himself impressively on the back nine, picking up crucial birdies at the 12th and 13th to stay in contention.
On the 54th hole, Wood found himself just off the green in two but left his chip some 10 to 12 feet short. Facing a pressure putt to post the clubhouse lead at 13 under, he delivered.
"When you're in that situation, it brings total clarity – you know you've got to hole it," said Wood. "It's a lovely feeling when you see it tracking and think, 'That can't miss.' Then back up 18 again in the play-off, it was almost a carbon copy."
Crockett, runner-up at New Giza last week, looked poised for a breakthrough victory after birdieing the 10th and eagling the 15th to reach 14 under with three holes remaining. However, a costly three-putt bogey from 60 feet at the 17th dropped him back to 13 under, matching Wood’s clubhouse total and setting the stage for the play-off.
Ireland’s Alex Maguire, who had led after a stunning opening-round 63, finished alone in third at 12 under following a final-round 71. Despite a dropped shot at the 12th, Maguire rallied with birdies at the 13th, 15th, and 18th, the final a bold 30-foot eagle attempt that narrowly missed and would have forced a three-way play-off.
France’s Mathieu Decottignies-Lafon and Italy’s Matteo Cristoni shared fourth place at eight under, while England’s Jordan Wrisdale and Sweden’s David Lundgren tied for sixth on seven under.
New Giza champion Lauri Ruuska of Finland closed with a 73 to finish tied 12th at four under, while Scotland’s Aidan O’Hagan slipped to a share of 42nd at one over after a closing 80.
Wood earned $18,000 from the $100,000 prize fund along with valuable Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) points as the MENA Golf Tour’s Egypt swing continues.
The Tour remains at Address Marassi Golf Resort for the Egypt Golf Series Marassi 2, which tees off on Thursday, January 29.
FINAL LEADERBOARD
1. Chris Wood (ENG) | 13 under (66-66-71 = 203) won in a play-off
2. Charlie Crockett (ENG) | 13 under (68-66-69 = 203)
3. Alex Maguire (IRL) | 12 under (63-70-71 = 204)
T4. Mathieu Decottignies-Lafon (FRA) | 8 under (70-66-72 = 208)
T4. Matteo Cristoni (ITA) | 8 under (70-65-73 = 208)
For more information, visit www.menagolftour.com