Having watched his close friend Joost Luiten take the title at last year’s inaugural event, Chris Wood is eager to put things right and lift the trophy himself when the 2019 Oman Open gets underway at Al Mouj Golf from February 28-March 3.
The Englishman pushed his Dutch counterpart all the way down the stretch 12 months ago but had to settle for second place, finishing two shots shy of Luiten’s 16-under-par total. It was a welcome return to form, but the result still stung for the 31-year-old from Bristol.
“I had been playing poorly in the run up to the event but I put myself in contention and was gutted I didn’t win in the end,” he said. “In the grand scheme of things, it was a good week and a step in the right direction. The key is to play well on the front nine – to try and get a couple under par, because on the back nine there are more chances to score.
“It was a fantastic event last year and the Al Mouj golf course was stunning and extremely well prepared – probably one of the best we played all year. I’m looking forward to returning to Muscat this year and maybe I’ll come out on top this time.”
Wood will be one of many European Tour stars excited to return to the Sultanate this year and he will be sure to do some sight-seeing this year should he get the chance.
“Al Mouj has invited the players to come and practice in Muscat prior to the event,” he said. “I might do that and if I do so, I will take some time to see some of the stunning mountains and the Souk before the tournament starts.
This year’s Oman Open will again be played over the Greg Norman-designed Al Mouj Golf in Muscat, from February 28 - March 3.
