Ireland’s Alex Maguire posted seven birdies in 16 holes before sensationally eagling the last in a sensational round of 63, seizing a three-shot lead on day one of the inagural Eqypt Golf Series – Address Resort tournament at the stunning host Al Marassi course located close to the Mediterranean shoreline, east of Alexandria.
The tournament is the second of four making-up the MENA Tour Egypt Golf Series and with 96 players contesting the event.
Maguire, 24, was very much in a class of his own finishing three clear of former DP World Tour star Chris Wood, who signed for a 66 to by lying second while the Scottish duo of Scott Henry, also a former DPWT player, and David Rudd sharing third at five-under.
McGUIRE ON MAGUIRE …..
Alex Maguire eagles the last to be soaring three shots clear with opening round 63 #MENATour event in Egypt
Chris Woods tees-up first time in ’26 ito be second & with duo Scott Henry & David Rudd sharing third
Read: https://t.co/gAuaJWRIbV
— Fatiha (@TOURMISS) January 24, 2026
Wood is returning to MENA competition after missing last week’s inaugual Egypt Series event and looking also to regain his lead on the MENA Tour money-list, after being overtaken last week in his absence.
The 2006 European Ryder Cup player won the opening event of the 2025/26 wraparound schedule in Spain, during the first week of December.
However it’s Maguire who’s the story and this journalist named McGuire is delighted to report.
“I hit a lot of good shots,” said Maguire. “I had a lot of good numbers all day, and I think that’s the reason I made so many birdies. Every par five I seemed to have a perfect number for a full shot, and with my irons, whether it was straight downwind or into the wind, I just had a good number. That doesn’t happen too often, so it was nice that I capitalised on it.”
Maguire admitted the course and conditions brought back fond memories of his college days in America.
“It felt very similar to college golf in Florida – brown Bermuda, very similar greens, and even some bumpy patches and tricky fringes. That experience definitely helped me today.”
Three days ago, the Irishman finished in a share of seventh place at the MENA Tour’s Egypt Golf Series at New Giza Golf Club.
Maguire has spent last year plying his trade between the HotelPlanner Tour and Clutch Pro Tour though his best finish was runer-up in both the Alps Tour Tunisian Golf Open and the season-ending Clutch Tour Championship.
If their was a highlight of 2025, then was in making the halfway cut in September’s DP World Tour Amgen Irish Open, won by Grand Slam champ Rory McIlroy.
Thanks to our good friends at Irish Golfer Magazine we can report a crazy moment after Maguire birdied his 36th hole to be assured in making the halfway cut at the K. Club.
It seems Maguire was so delighted in securing a potentially life changing weekend at the K Club that he accidentally threw his cap back onto the green where it landed beside the ball marker of Zander Lombard who was studying an eight footer to make the cut.
“That’s probably one of the most embarrassing things I have ever done!” laughed Maguire who carded a rollercoaster 72 for a two-under total, two shots inside the cut mark and on route to sharing 50th place.
Maguire will be hoping now he can finish 50 players high in the Land of the Pharoahs.
