27th February 2026 | Alps Tour Golf
Murphy sets the pace after Round 1 at New Giza Open
Egypt, February 27, 2026 – In-form players made an immediate impact at the start of the 2026 New Giza Open, with Ireland’s Sam Murphy taking the early lead in Cairo after an impressive 65 (-7). The Ein Bay Open winner continued his strong start to the season with a flawless, bogey-free round.
Italy’s Luca Memeo set the pace in the afternoon with a solid 66 (-6). Fellow Italian Andrea Romano, winner of the Red Sea Little Venice Open earlier this week, confirmed his excellent form with a 67 (-5). The current Order of Merit leader shares third place alongside England’s Barclay Brown, France’s Alexandre Vandermoten and Alexis Leray, and American Adrian Soriano.
Play was suspended due to darkness before all groups could complete their rounds. The remaining players will return to the course at 7:00 a.m. to finish Round 1, while Round 2 will begin as scheduled at 7:00 a.m. from both the 1st and 10th tees. At the conclusion of the second round, a cut will be made to the top 40 professionals and ties (excluding amateurs), who will advance to the final round.
Round 1 Player Quotes
Sam Murphy : ” My game felt really solid again — I drove the ball well, gave myself plenty of good opportunities, and hit my irons beautifully. Hitting all 18 greens made it a bit more stress-free, even in tricky conditions.
I’m absolutely delighted with the round. It’s a great way to start the tournament, and now the goal is to build on it with another solid, steady round tomorrow. We’ll see where that puts me, but I’m really pleased with how everything went today and I’m hoping to keep this form going.”
Tournament Sponsors
The 2026 New Giza Open is part of the Egypt Golf Series 2026 and is proudly supported by New Giza for Real Estate and Development as the title sponsor. Additional support is provided by TPC – Touristic Promotion Company.
Photo Credit : Alps Tour Golf /Raffaele Canepa
Alps Tour Media Contact- Nathan Cardet : [email protected]
For further information, please visit the official Alps Tour website at www.alpstourgolf.com or download the official Alps Tour Golf mobile application, available on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). Stay updated by following the Alps Tour on social media via Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and X.
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19th February 2026 | Alps Tour Golf
Rookie Sam Murphy Claims the 2026 Ein Bay Open in His Professional Debut
Egypt, February 19, 2026 – Ireland’s Sam Murphy delivered a composed and impressive performance to capture the 2026 Ein Bay Open, securing victory in his very first tournament as a professional.
Starting the final round with a two-shot lead, Murphy appeared firmly in control through the opening 11 holes, recording three birdies and eight pars to extend his advantage. The momentum shifted from the 12th onward, where two bogeys brought his closest challengers back into contention. A moment of real drama came at the 18th, when his approach narrowly avoided the water by a matter of inches. The Irishman responded with an excellent up-and-down to seal the title in style.
Murphy earns €6,200 and 6,525 Order of Merit points, marking a remarkable start to his professional career.
Fellow Irishman Robert Moran, who had been well off the pace at the halfway stage, made a notable comeback with four birdies on the back nine. He ultimately finished two shots behind Murphy after a closing bogey at the 18th.
Spain’s Ruben Pardo Rodriguez and Mario Galiano Aguilar, alongside England’s Barclay Brown, shared third place, three shots back of the winner. Brown had drawn level with the lead during the final round but dropped three shots over his closing three holes, with a bogey at the 16th followed by a double bogey at the 18th.
The players will return to action on Sunday, February 22nd, for the 2026 Red Sea Little Venice Open, also at Sokhna Golf Club, this time on Course B&C.
Round 3 Player Quotes
Sam Murphy : “Winning my first event is the perfect way to start both the season and my professional career. It’s surreal—especially considering how far I’ve come in the past four or five years, overcoming numerous injuries and challenges. This victory means a lot to me.
Last year at the QSchool, I played well and finished second (First Stage) and fifth (Final Stage) , which gave me confidence that I could compete at this level. I hadn’t won in three or four years, so this makes the win even more special. The standard of golf here is very high, so I’m thrilled to have come out on top.
Honestly, I was probably the calmest I’ve ever been through all three rounds, which was a pleasant surprise. I have a great friendship with Rob, and we chatted throughout the match, but things got tense toward the end as the wind picked up. Stepping up for that final putt, I definitely felt the nerves, but this is the moment you train for—to make a putt to win a tournament. I’m delighted with the outcome.”
On the final hole, Rob and I both found ourselves in the right rough. I saw he was hitting a pitching wedge, and I was a few yards further back. His shot went long right, so I knew a pitching wedge would be ideal for me. My ball caught the wind, hit the bank, and rolled into some casual water just before the main water hazard. Sometimes you need a bit of luck to win, but I still had to get up and down to clinch the victory. It’s probably one of the best up-and-downs I’ve ever had.”
Robert Moran : “It was a mix of emotions for me. With about nine holes to go, I wasn’t even thinking about winning; I just wanted to finish as high as possible. Playing alongside Sam, who’s a good friend, I tried to support him and focus on my own game. I played some nice golf coming in and was just one shot behind on the last hole. Sam’s chip shot was outstanding and ultimately won him the tournament. While it’s disappointing not to win, finishing second at the first event of the year makes me happy.
I played a lot of golf over the winter, with some good and some mixed results, so I’m glad to have carried some of my strong play into this tournament. Overall, I’m pleased with my performance.”
Tournament Sponsors
The 2026 Ein Bay Open and the 2026 Red Sea Little Venice Open are supported by Sokhna Golf Club, the Egyptian Golf Federation, Elano, Hechter Paris, Holibees, Mercedes, and TPC – Touristic Promotion Company.
Photo : Alps Tour – 3MIND – Raffaele Canepa
Alps Tour Media Contact- Nathan Cardet : [email protected]
For further information, please visit the official Alps Tour website at www.alpstourgolf.com or download the official Alps Tour Golf mobile application, available on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). Stay updated by following the Alps Tour on social media via Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and X.
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18th February 2026 | Alps Tour Golf
Sam Murphy Takes the Lead with a Bogey-Free 65
Egypt, February 18, 2026 – The leaderboard shifted significantly during the second round of the 2026 Ein Bay Open at Sokhna Golf Club. While the early starters enjoyed calm conditions, the wind strengthened around midday, making the course play significantly tougher.
Starting from the 11th tee in the morning wave, Ireland’s Sam Murphy, a graduate of the 2025 Q-School, made a sensational start with seven birdies in his opening eleven holes. He then played steady, controlled golf over the remaining holes, signing for an impressive bogey-free 65 (-7) to move into the outright lead.
Murphy holds a two-shot advantage over France’s Alexandre Vandermoten and fellow Irishman Robert Moran, who posted a strong 67 (-5) despite facing tougher conditions in the afternoon wave. Moran was one of the few players in the afternoon to record a score under par.
For tomorrow’s final round, play will begin at 8:00 a.m. from the 1st and 11th tees. At the conclusion of the third round, the winner will receive €6,200 and 6,525 Order of Merit points. In the event of a tie, a playoff will determine the champion.
Round 2 Player Quotes
Sam Murphy : I got off to a good start and knew the conditions would get tougher coming in, especially with the wind picking up over the last few holes. I tried to take advantage early and just play solid golf. I hit 18 greens and missed only a couple of fairways, so it was a really solid round. It never really felt like I was going to make a bogey. I struck the ball well, and even on the greens. I felt comfortable. It was a pretty stress-free round, which was nice. I’ll stick with the same game plan I’ve had all week. Hopefully the wind settles down tomorrow but it’ll be the same approach: play aggressive when I can and conservative when I have to.
Tournament Sponsors
The 2026 Ein Bay Open and the 2026 Red Sea Little Venice Open are supported by Sokhna Golf Club, the Egyptian Golf Federation, Elano, Hechter Paris, Holibees, Mercedes, and TPC – Touristic Promotion Company.
Photo : Alps Tour – 3MIND – Raffaele Canepa
Alps Tour Media Contact- Nathan Cardet : [email protected]
For further information, please visit the official Alps Tour website at www.alpstourgolf.com or download the official Alps Tour Golf mobile application, available on the App Store (iOS) and Google Play (Android). Stay updated by following the Alps Tour on social media via Instagram, Facebook, Threads, and X.
#25thanniversary
#raisinggolfstars
#risinggolfstars
#2026alpstourseason
