Ireland’s Alex Maguire leads the way after the first round of the Al Houara Classic in Morocco.

Maguire, 26, superbly posted six birdies in a five-under 67 for a one shot lead in the first of two MENA Tour events to be held on the stunning Al Houara course laid-out along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline at Tangier on the northern tip of Morocco.

Maguire capped his round birdieing four of his opening nine holes to finish a shot in front of England’s Joseph Pagdin and with fellow Irishman Mark Power in third place after signing for a two-under 70 on the joint Vijay Singh and Aussie Graham Marsh designed course.

Ireland’s Alex Maguire feeling right at home in the windy conditions on day one of the MENA Tour’s Al Houara Classic being hosted along the Atlantic Ocean shoreline in northern Morocco. (Image – Getty)

“It was the windiest conditions I’ve played in for a long time,” said Maguire. “Growing up on the east coast of Ireland it’s something I’m used to, but it was mentally draining out there. Apart from the one bogey on 12, I managed to keep mistakes to a minimum, which was key. On a day like this, limiting dropped shots is more important than chasing birdies.”

England’s Chris Wood, who currently heads the MENA Tour money list, posted a mistake-ridden 71 to be sharing fourth place on one-under.  Wood’s round was a mix of five birdies but also two bogeys and a 14th hole double-bogey.

Maguire is currently lying 14th on the MENA Tour money list and with five events after this week remaining on the 2025/26 wraparound schedule of the superbly revitalised MENA Tour.

He is among four Irish in the 97-player field.