Jan 8, 2026; Lecanto, Florida, United States; Chris Wood tees off on the first tee during the first round of the LIV Golf Black Diamond Ranch golf tournament at Black Diamond Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-Imagn Images
Jan 8, 2026; Lecanto, Florida, United States; Chris Wood tees off on the first tee during the first round of the LIV Golf Black Diamond Ranch golf tournament at Black Diamond Ranch. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Swinger-Imagn Images
England’s Chris Wood took a break from competition three years ago after losing his playing rights on the DP World Tour. Now, he is back at the Danish Golf Challenge this week reclaim his DP World Tour card.
Prior to this week’s Danish Golf Challenge, Wood opened up about his ambition to secure more wins and return to the European Tour.
“So one of my targets is to compete and play like I’ve not won in Italy. And you never know, number two might come along. And then really, you’re only week away from the Golden Ticket. One of the 15 is the primary goal, for sure,” said Wood.
82nd Italian Open Championship 2025 DP World Tour Signage during the second round of the 82nd Italian Open Championship, Argentario GC, Monte Argentario, Italy. 27/06/2025 Picture: Golffile Stefano DiMaria All photo usage must carry mandatory copyright credit Golffile Stefano DiMaria Copyright: xStefanoxDiMariax *EDI*
82nd Italian Open Championship 2025 DP World Tour Signage during the second round of the 82nd Italian Open Championship, Argentario GC, Monte Argentario, Italy. 27/06/2025 Picture: Golffile Stefano DiMaria All photo usage must carry mandatory copyright credit Golffile Stefano DiMaria Copyright: xStefanoxDiMariax *EDI*
The HotelPlanner Tour provides a pathway to the DP World Tour by offering cards to its top 15 players. Wood is aiming for exactly that.
Wood’s journey to the HotelPlanner Tour was not smooth. At the end of 2025, Wood found himself out of both the DP World Tour and the HotelPlanner Tour.
The 38-year-old then joined the MENA Tour, and won three events in a short span. He was then on his way back to Europe’s second tier.
After a two-month wait, Wood featured on the HotelPlanner Tour and continued his fine run of form. At the Italian Challenge Open, Wood won by a stroke over Portugal’s Tomás Gouveia.
“I am coming to events feeling much better prepared to compete, whereas for the last five, six years, I’ve been coming to events trying to find a golf swing really and being in a really tough place mentally. I’m now feeling in a better position to compete,” Wood said.
Wood requires more than just one victory to get the ‘golden ticket’ back to the DP World Tour.
Wood was a mainstay on the European Tour before his hiatus.
Wood Previously On The European Tour
Wood took a brief retirement in 2023 and even failed to qualify for the European Tour in 2025. Prior to his struggles, Wood secured three DP World Tour titles.
The first of his three victories came in Qatar. In 2013, Wood secured the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters by one stroke over South Africa’s George Coetzee and Spain’s Sergio Garcia.
Two years later, Wood shot 15-under par at the Lyoness Open as he won his second title on the tour. The Englishman edged Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello by two strokes.
His highest-profile win came at Wentworth, where he lifted the 2016 BMW PGA Championship. He secured the title by one stroke over Sweden’s Rikard Karlberg.
This win handed him an automatic selection for the 2016 Ryder Cup as he reached a career-high ranking of 22 in the OWGR.
Wood will certainly hope to be back on the European Tour, but to do so, he will need to get his hands on one of the 15 cards given by the HotelPlanner Tour.
Trending slideshow: DP World Tour’s Most Dominant Tournament Leads Ever
Aditi Singh
DP World Tour’s Most Dominant Tournament Leads EverSome golfers don’t just win, they obliterate the competition. From runaway starts to record-setting victories, these are the biggest leads ever recorded on the DP World Tour and beyond. But don’t be surprised if you don’t find your favorites, players like Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, or Seve Ballesteros, among them. Dominance, after all, has its own unexpected list of names. David Young/ImagoSandy Lyle stormed to a seven-shot lead after 36 holes at the 1983 Ebel Swiss Open–European Masters, showcasing complete command in the Swiss Alps. The Scottish star looked untouchable through the opening rounds, his ball-striking reflecting the peak of his 1980s form. Though the tournament ended in a sudden-death playoff loss to Nick Faldo, Lyle’s halfway dominance remains one of several seven-shot leads tied for the largest in European Tour history. Rob Schumacher / ImagoKen Brown built a commanding seven-shot lead after 36 holes at the 1984 Glasgow Open at Haggs Castle Golf Club, the largest halfway margin in the tournament’s history. Playing on home soil, Brown stunned the field with precise shot-making and unshakable rhythm, drawing energy from the supportive Scottish crowd. His performance joined a select group of DP World Tour players, like Sandy Lyle, Richard Boxall, and Jesper Parnevik, who’ve achieved similar 7-shot cushions. Mark Newcombe/ImagoRichard Boxall opened with rounds of 65 and 64 to build a seven-shot lead after 36 holes at the 1990 Lancia-Martini Italian Open at Golf Club Milano in Monza. Riding on early-season confidence, the Englishman’s steady rhythm and sharp ball-striking gave him total control. Though nerves crept in before the final round, he stayed composed to secure his first and only DP World Tour victory. Mark Newcombe/ImagoBell’s Scottish Open, Gleneagles (King’s), 1993
Known for his backwards cap and quirky style, Parnevik combined flair with brilliance at Gleneagles. His 7-shot halfway lead was as stylish as it was ruthless. Winning this Open was a significant time in his career, with it being the first of four career wins on the European Tour. Richard Ulreich/Newscom World/ImagoEls held a seven-shot lead after 36 holes at the 1994 Mercedes German Masters at Motzener See Golf & Country Club, the largest halfway margin on the European Tour at the time. The “Big Easy” looked untouchable in Germany, his effortless rhythm producing one of his most dominant starts. The mark equaled Jesper Parnevik’s 1993 record and stood as a European Tour benchmark that Els later matched at the 2004 Heineken Classic. Jorge Lemus/ImagoTiger Woods established the largest 36-hole lead at the 2000 WGC–NEC Invitational, a record he has since tied. At Firestone Country Club’s South Course in Akron, Ohio, Woods built a seven-shot advantage after two rounds. His performance turned the weekend into a formality, setting a benchmark later matched by Ernie Els (2004), Brooks Koepka (2019), and Woods himself again at the 2013 WGC–Bridgestone Invitational. AP Photo/Elise AmendolaErnie Els built a commanding seven-shot lead after 36 holes at the 2004 Heineken Classic at Royal Melbourne. Opening with a spectacular 60 and following it with a composed 66, the South African showcased precision and control across the firm, fast layout. His 126 total marked one of the largest halfway leads, setting the stage for his eventual third consecutive Heineken Classic title. Daniel Weir/ImagoTiger Woods dominated the 2013 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational with one of his most decisive performances. A blistering second-round 61 tied the Firestone course record and gave him a seven-shot cushion at the halfway stage. He maintained full control over the weekend with rounds of 68 and 70 to finish 15-under-par, seven clear of Keegan Bradley and Henrik Stenson. The win marked Woods’s eighth Bridgestone title and his fifth PGA Tour victory of the 2013 season. AP Photo/Phil Long, FileBrooks Koepka’s performance at the 2019 PGA Championship at Bethpage Black was one of the most dominant starts in major history. After rounds of 63 and 65, Koepka reached 12-under 128, the lowest 36-hole score ever in a major, and led by seven shots over Jordan Spieth and Adam Scott. Despite describing it as “a battle,” Koepka’s control off the tee and precision into greens built a record lead unmatched since 1934; he went on to win by two strokes. Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY NetworkRetief Goosen’s 13-shot 54-hole lead at the 2002 Johnnie Walker Classic remains the largest in European Tour history. At Lake Karrinyup Country Club in Perth, he shot a course-record 63 in the third round to reach 15-under-par, leaving his closest rivals at two-under. The reigning U.S. Open champion held firm on the final day with a closing 73 to win by eight strokes, completing one of the most commanding performances in Tour history. ZUMA Press Wire/ImagoTiger Woods’ 15-shot triumph at the 2000 U.S. Open remains golf’s most dominant 72-hole victory. At Pebble Beach, Woods finished 12-under-par (272) while no other player broke par; Ernie Els and Miguel Ángel Jiménez trailed at +3. His flawless putting, surgical precision, and unshakable focus turned a notoriously brutal course into his personal showcase. It wasn’t just a win; it was complete mastery. USGA/John Mummert
