Alex Maguire exclusive

ALEX Maguire is aiming for St Andrew’s after his Open Championship experience.

The Old Course at the historic Scottish venue will host the 2023 Walker Cup in September and McGuire is hoping to make the team and follow in the footsteps of giants like Rory McIlroy and Padraig Harrington.

“The goal is to play Walker Cup and play the World Amateur Team Championship with the Irish Team in Abu Dhabi,” said Maguire.

McIlroy was on the 2007 Walker Cup team that lost to a USA team that featured Rickie Fowler, Billy Horschel and Dustin Johnson, while Harrington played in the 1991, 1993 and 1995 renewals.

“It’s something I have dreamed of for a while and to be able to play in a Walker Cup would be an amazing experience,” said Maguire.

Maguire also has his eye on The Irish Open, which takes place this year in September at the K Club.

“If I get an invite fantastic and to play in my home event would be a close second to The Open,” he said.

Maguire is currently a member of Laytown and Bettystown Golf Club and qualified for The 151st Open at Royal Liverpool.

“I gave up hope but a few guys didn’t play their best which gave me the opportunity to tee it up in The Open this year and I’m delighted that I was able to play,” he said.

Maguire played with 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel and Rikuya Hoshino for the first two days of The 151st Open Championship.

“I hit two quality shots into the first green which settled the nerves and I wasn’t really nervous after that”.

Maguire had a fantastic opening round of 72 but shot a second round of nine over to miss the halfway cut.

“I think I wasn’t out of my depth for the most part as an amateur playing in my first professional event,” he said.

Maguire has long been inspired by McIlroy and believes the Holywood man will be back among the Major winners before long.

2014 was Rory McIlroy’s last major win which was the PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Course.

McIlroy came close to winning a major over the last couple of years as he has finished second in both the US Open and The Masters.

While it has been 10 years since a major win McIlroy has been able to win some of the biggest events throughout the world as he has won three FedEx Cup’s.

“I don’t think he needs to do anything different and he is not that far away,” said Maguire.

The frustrating matter is that McIlroy has to wait until 2024 for his next major attempt at Augusta. With it now been a year on since McIlroy let a 54 hole lead slip at St Andrews this still could be affecting him mentally.

“I watched him last year at St Andrews, he played incredible the whole week just another guy played very well on the back nine,” said Maguire.

McIlroy finished in the top 10 at three of this year’s four majors which were the PGA Championship, US Open and The Open.

“He is more consistent than everyone in the majors,” he said.

The County Down man won the Dubai Desert Classic and Genesis Scottish Open this year and is hoping to have a successful finish to 2023 by winning his fourth FedEx Cup, fifth Race to Dubai and fifth Ryder Cup.

Harrington is in incredible form as he made the cut at this year’s PGA Championship, US Open and The Open.

“He hits the ball a mile and his mindset is so different to most people as he is obsessed with the game,” said Maguire.

Harrington has an outside chance of making Luke Donald’s team and would become the oldest player to play in a Ryder Cup.

“You look at him and you wouldn’t think he is over 50,” said Maguire.