AR
Chris Wood secured his first professional victory in nearly a decade at the Rolear Algarve Classic.
The 38-year-old former Ryder Cup player and three-time DP World Tour winner began the final day in Portugal with a one-shot lead and finished the 54-hole tournament at 16-under-par to hold off Scotland’s Aidan O’Hagan, whose matching 67 saw him finish alone in second place at 15-under.
The victory caps a significant period in Wood’s resurgence after a difficult spell away from competitive golf due to mental health issues. “I’m gutted that I bogeyed the 17th – that was my only bogey all week. But to finish my season with a win is amazing.
“I’ve got some work that I want to get into over the winter and have a little break, but come out ready for the first couple in Egypt.”
Germany’s Max Schmitt produced the round of the day with a course-record, bogey-free nine-under 63 to surge into third place at 13-under-par.
Czech Republic’s Dominik Pavoucek, Scotland’s Sebastian Sandin and Italy’s Marco Florioli shared fourth place at 10-under-par.
Ireland’s Tyler Hogarty and Portugal’s Pedro Figueiredo both posted impressive final rounds of 65 to finish in a share of seventh at eight-under, alongside English pair David Hague and Toby Hunt, Portugal’s Pedro Lencart and Ireland’s Max Kennedy.
Ahmad Skaik – AAC
The UAE’s Ahmad Skaik, who was making his second professional start, battled through injury and carded an even-par 72 in the final round, finishing the tournament at four-over-par to collect prize money in just his second event as a professional.
“My body was feeling better today after the massage, and I was hitting the ball better, which meant I gave myself more chances for birdies,” said Skaik.
“It feels good to get a paycheque for the first time and hopefully the first of many. If you had told me at the beginning of the week that I’d make the cut and possibly shoot a low round in the third round, I would not have believed it because I was not moving well, I was in so much pain and couldn’t swing the club.”
Wood’s victory earns him $18,000 from the $100,000 prize fund.
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Main Image: MENA Golf Tour
