Chris Wood Headlines MENA Golf Tour Q School as Careers Kick Off in Portugal

Former Ryder Cup star Chris Wood will lead a competitive international field at the MENA Golf Tour Q School, beginning Thursday (20–22 November) at Troia Golf Course in Portugal. The 54-hole qualifier marks the first step toward membership of the Middle East and North Africa’s only Official World Golf Ranking-recognised circuit.

The tournament will determine membership and category status for the 2025–26 season, offering aspiring professionals from the region and beyond the chance to compete on a Tour that has already produced Major champions, multiple DP World Tour winners, and Ryder Cup stars.

Wood, who represented Europe in the 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine and boasts three DP World Tour victories, brings experience and pedigree to the field as he looks to regain momentum on a Tour renowned for relaunching careers and developing emerging talent.

“I know Keith Waters fairly well and the Tour is in great hands with his experience,” Wood said. “The schedule looks great with events close together, which really appeals to me. I’ve got four children, so being able to go away and play two or three events without the long gaps you get on traditional tour schedules is important. The $100,000 guaranteed prize funds and 48-hour payments show how player-focused this is. It’s about getting competitive golf in on really good courses, and from what I’ve seen at Troia, we’re starting on a good one.”

Also among the contenders is Freddie Parlby, grandson of world-renowned coach Pete Cowen, who is eager to begin his professional journey on a Tour offering guaranteed prize funds, fast payouts, and OWGR points.

“I’ve only just turned professional and hope to secure my card to play on the MENA Golf Tour throughout the winter,” Parlby said. “I want to get more competitive rounds under my belt and learn how to score with a card in my hands – that’s the only way I’m going to get better.”

MENA Golf Tour Chairman and Commissioner Keith Waters said Thursday marks the beginning of a special chapter.

“Having Chris Wood in the field is a fantastic endorsement of what we’re building,” Waters said. “He’s competed at the highest level – Ryder Cups, PGA Tour, DP World Tour – and his decision to join Q School speaks volumes about the opportunities we’re offering. This is exactly what the MENA Golf Tour is about: providing a credible, professional platform for players at every stage of their career to compete, earn, and progress. Thursday is the start of that journey for this year’s class.”

Following Q School, the regular season kicks off with consecutive events in Portugal: the PGA Aroeira Challenge (25–27 November) and the Rolear Algarve Classic at Amendoeira (2–4 December). The Tour then moves to Egypt for a four-event swing in January–February before heading to Morocco, where a mid-season Q-Sprint (22–23 February) will offer newcomers a second chance to qualify and current members an opportunity to improve their category via re-rank.

The MENA Golf Tour is also in active discussions with the DP World Tour and the HotelPlanner Tour to formalize progression pathways for leading players, including direct access to DP World Tour Qualifying School and status opportunities on other international circuits.