Wood reclaims top spot in Mena Golf Tour ranking

Chris Wood produced a nerveless birdie on the first play-off hole to defeat Charlie Crockett and claim victory at the Egypt Golf Series Marassi 1 at Address Marassi Golf Resort.

Wood collected $18,000 from the $100,000 prize fund along with Official World Golf Ranking points as the Mena Golf Tour’s Egypt swing continues.

Both players finished regulation play tied at 13 under par after contrasting final rounds – Wood carding a one-under 71 while Crockett fired a three-under 69 to force the extra holes.

Returning to the par-five 18th, Crockett putted first but saw his birdie effort slide agonisingly wide. Wood, who had struck a two-iron from the semi-rough to set up a six-foot downhill birdie putt, then converted to claim his second MENA Golf Tour title of the season.

The victory moves Wood back to the top of the Mena Golf Tour Rankings, leapfrogging Italy’s Ludovico Addabbo who finished in a share of 22nd at 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, with swirling sand making visibility difficult throughout the early stages.

“It was difficult to start with the sand and the wind — it made it hard to see,” said Crockett. “I had to wear my sunglasses quite a lot and actually putted with them on for probably the first five holes, which I don’t normally do. I was almost eating sand at times — which was definitely a new experience for me.”

Wood’s final round was a tale of two nines. A double bogey seven at the par-five seventh – where he had made birdie in both previous rounds – saw him turn in one-over 37, seemingly handing the advantage to his pursuers. But the 38-year-old steadied himself on the back nine, picking up birdies at the 12th and 13th before facing a nervy finish.

On the 54th hole, Wood was just off the green in two but left his chip 10-12 feet short. He holed the putt to post 13 under – a moment he knew could prove crucial.

“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, who finished runner-up at New Giza last week, looked set to finally break through when he birdied the 10th and eagled the 15th to reach 14 under with three holes to play. But a three-putt bogey at the 17th from 60 feet dropped him back to 13 under, level with Wood in the clubhouse.