Former Alps Tour number one Ronan Mullarney got 2025 off to a strong start when he finished tied for second in the season-opening Ein Bay Open in Egypt.

The Galway man (29) closed with a five-under 67 at Sokhna Golf Club to finish a shot behind winner Luca Galliano of Switzerland on 12-under-par (€3,443).

Scores

Order of Mert (Top 5 earn HotelPlanner Tour cards)

Mullarney went into the final round five shots behind Italy’s Giovanni Manzoni, who shot 73 to slip to fourth on 11-under.

As Galliano posted a two-under 70 to win on 13-under, Mullarney followed a bogey at the sixth with birdies at the seventh and ninth before racing home in 32 thanks to birdies at the 12th, 13th, 15th and 17th.

“I’m really happy with how I’ve started and pleased with my game," Mullarney said.

"My scores were fairly consistent over the three days. I had one bogey today on the sixth, but I bounced back with two birdies in the next three holes. On the back nine, I putted well and notched four birdies."

Royal Dublin’s Hugh Foley (27) also had a good week, closing with a 69 to tie for 10th (€899) on nine-under.

Castle’s Robert Moran (25) made four birdies and a double bogey in 70 to tie for 17th on seven-under (€696) with Kinsale’s John Murphy (26) a shot further back in tied 20th (€592) after a 70.

The Alps Tour remains at Sokhna for next week’s €42,500 Red Sea Little Venice Open, where Mullarney, Foley, Moran and Murphy will be joined by Marc Boucher (27), who missed the cut in the season-opener.

Brandon St John (21) is on the reserve list.