Ireland’s Alex Maguire fired a bogey-free nine-under-par 63 to set a course record and take a commanding three-shot lead after the opening round of the Egypt Golf Series Address Marassi at Address Marassi Golf Resort.
The 25-year-old was in imperious form from tee to green, carding seven birdies and an eagle in a flawless display to lead by three from England’s Chris Wood, whose six-under 66 leaves him well placed as the MENA Golf Tour’s second event in Egypt gets underway.
“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.”
Wood, who won the Rolear Algarve Classic at Amendoeira in December, endured a cold start before finding his rhythm as conditions improved.
“I thought it was quite tough out there, especially in the first hour when it was cold,” said Wood. “We started on 10 and I played those opening holes really well. Six-under is a good score in that wind because it wasn’t straightforward at all. It’s a long golf course and the wind was swirling, so there was a lot going on.”
Scotland’s Scott Henry and David Rudd share third place at five under, with England’s Charlie Crockett and Spain’s Haiko Dana a further shot back in a tie for fifth at four under.
A total of six players are grouped at three under par, including Germany’s Martin Obtmeier, Scotland’s Aidan O’Hagan and Michael Stewart, and England’s David Hague.
The Tour continues its four-event Egypt swing with USD $100,000 prize money and Official World Golf Ranking points on offer at each tournament. Following this week’s event, the players return to Address Marassi Golf Resort for back-to-back tournaments before the series concludes at Madinaty Golf Club in Cairo.
Round two begins tomorrow (Sunday 25 January).
