Former Ryder Cup player Chris Wood earns MENA Tour status for 2026

Former Ryder Cup star Chris Wood has taken a significant step in his comeback by securing his MENA Tour card for the 2026 season—a fresh opportunity on a circuit returning with renewed purpose.

The MENA Tour, founded in 2011 as a developmental pathway for players across the Middle East and North Africa, has endured a turbulent history of pauses and relaunches. 

Now officially recognised by the Official World Golf Ranking (OWGR) and revived for the 2025/26 season, it once again offers a competitive proving ground for players looking to rebuild careers or springboard to bigger stages. 

And few stories fit that brief better right now than Chris Wood’s.

Wood, was once a central figure in European golf. 

A member of the 2016 Ryder Cup team at Hazeltine, he contributed one point from two matches—winning alongside Justin Rose in the Saturday foursomes before narrowly losing to Dustin Johnson in singles. 

A three-time European Tour winner, his crowning achievement came at the 2016 BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth, where he cemented his status as one of England’s top talents.

But the years that followed were less kind. 

By 2019 his form had begun to fade, and by 2023 Wood stepped away from professional golf entirely, citing burnout and anxiety. 

His return in 2024 via the Challenge Tour hinted at progress, but it’s on the MENA circuit where the 37-year-old has now taken a tangible leap forward.

How Chris Wood earned his 2026 MENA Tour card

The MENA Tour has not staged its own tournaments since 2023, but its full relaunch for 2025 brought with it a return to Q-School—and Wood didn’t waste the opportunity. 

Competing in Portugal, he posted rounds of 66, 72 and 72 to claim his card and lock up playing rights for 2026.

The result comes just weeks after a near-miss at DP World Tour Q-School, where he failed to progress by a single shot. 

Instead of stalling his momentum, that disappointment now looks to have fuelled a successful reset.

Why the MENA Tour matters for Wood’s comeback

While not as widely known as the major global circuits, the MENA Tour provides exactly what Wood needs: competitive starts, a clear schedule, and crucially, OWGR points. 

With events played over 54 holes, it also offers a lighter, more manageable load for a player rebuilding confidence and form after a difficult spell.

For someone who once lifted trophies on the DP World Tour, including Europe’s flagship event, returning to the winner’s circle in any fashion represents an important psychological win. 

It also keeps doors open. 

With a full MENA schedule ahead of him in 2026, it feels like the first proper chapter of a comeback that’s quietly gathering momentum.