HE IS ALEX IN WONDERLAND

Maquire's set for intense week at Hoylake following an in-tents week at the Open last time out at St Andrews 

- MICHAEL SCULLY

ALEX MAGUIRE was so close to the big show he could taste it last year.

In just under two weeks' time, he'll feast on golf's greatest stage.

It's the stuff of dreams.

Maguire made it to The Open for the first time last year when a friend's dad struck gold in the annual ticket lottery.

And so four of them piled into a tent in the village constructed just metres from the hallowed St Andrews course for the play from Friday through Sunday.

Magic. Mostly, anyway.

"It wasn't the most pleasant of experiences," laughed Maguire, thinking back on life in a cramped tent.

"But no, it was great."