It took 1,743 days and an extra four holes after regulation for Chris Wood to secure his second Challenger PGA Tour of Australasia victory at the 2025 Ford NSW Open at The Vintage.
Considering retirement and work in the mines at the end of 2025 with his plan for a potential swansong at the site of his first Tour win, the Vic PGA in December, Wood was the last man standing after finishing 72 holes tied with James Marchesani and Will Florimo on 6-under.
“It feels great. Never really thought I’d never win again,” Wood said gleefully, holding the Kel Nagle Cup and with nearly $140,000 extra in his bank account as well as starts at the BMW Australian PGA and Crown Australian Open.
“The guys out here are so good. You have to play really good golf to win…
“I had lost a few (playoffs) beforehand… and I didn’t want to lose this one, so I fought hard.”
That fight came after a remarkable final round where players threw their hands up only to drop shots.
Florimo, the first in the clubhouse after a bogey-free 68 alongside tournament drawcard Lucas Herbert, some two hours before the final group reached the 72nd hole, with Marchesani drawing level when he dropped a 25-foot birdie putt, his fourth in five holes, on the 18th green.
Wood fell out of the lead when leaving his approach short of the 15th green and making bogey at 15.
“It was a bit of an awkward distance, awkward shot,” Wood said of 15.
“I made the mistake of missing it for two, just take bogey and know that I was still in the tournament, whether it was outright or in a playoff and just give myself a chance.”
With the wind swirling, Wood took his chance at the 18th for the first time of the day, hitting his sand wedge to five feet from 112 metres and converting the birdie chance.
Overnight leader Ben Henkel fell short of the playoff after his birdie attempt from the back of the 18th came up just short.
It was three pars for Wood, Marchesani and Florimo the first time back up the par-4 last, before the second hole created drama.
Florimo bowed out after missing the green and failing with his chip, while Marchesani and Wood returned to the tee following two more pars.
Hitting his sand wedge again, Wood was first to putt the third time around and nestled his first effort to a tap-in par. Marchesani’s putt for the win came with a rush of blood that left him a nervy five feet to keep the playoff going, which he converted before a move in pin placement.
Wood found the green for a fourth time from 97 metres as Marchesani hit a heavy approach that came up short. The Victorians chip coming up close, but it wasn’t enough with Wood holing his putt to claim victory.
“The wind was so gusty, I just had to trust the number, and I hit it long a couple of times, but happy to hit that one close on the last,” Wood said of his approach.
The Queenslander’s plan to drive back to Queensland on Sunday night, with Doug Klein potentially changing.
“I think he’ll (Klein) want to stay at the bloody Marriott or the Sheraton now, so we’ll see what’s available tonight when we get into Coffs (Harbour). But yeah, I’m sure it’ll be my shout. I’m sure,” Wood said.
The idea of farewelling full-time professional golf at the Vic PGA may also be amended in the coming days and weeks.
“Not necessarily. I still wanted to play out this year really strong,” he said of whether retirement plans were completely out the window.
“I knew that there was money to be made and obviously status to be gained, and having this thing in my hands now, I might sort of reassess things, but at the moment I’m just going to enjoy this.
“Enjoy the next couple of weeks, I didn’t have starts for the (Australian) PGA and Open. Now I do. So that obviously changes the next couple of weeks.”
