Leona Maguire transformation over the last year
Paddy Morgan investigates Leona Maguire’s success in the professional game and had the pleasure of chatting to Maguire remotely
Career
Leona Maguire hails from Cavan, Ireland and grew up playing golf at Slieve Russell Golf Club before travelling to America for college. Maguire was world amateur number one for 135 weeks while attending Duke University in America. Maguire started playing amateur golf in 2015 and that lasted for three years which included representing Team Ireland at the 2016 Rio Olympics. Maguire finally turned professional in 2018 and signed for Modest Golf Management along with her sister Lisa in the same year. At 27 years old Maguire is currently in the prime of her career.
Solheim Cup
Maguire shot an unbelievable final-round of 61 at 2021 Evian Championship and was confirmed in August 2021 that she become the first player from Ireland to play in 2021 Solheim Cup. The Inverness Club in Ohio was the venue for 2021 Solheim Cup and Leona Maguire told me “I think as a rookie you are just trying to soak up as much of the experience as possible. I couldn’t have asked for a better team and group of assistant captains that were willing and eager to share advice on how to deal with first tee nerves and playing against an away crowd. I think that is the special thing about the Solheim cup though, it brings out the very best of your competitive spirit and you pull off shots that you might not normally go for on a regular week.” Maguire was outstanding in 2021 Solheim Cup as she played all five matches and won four out of her five games.
Legacy
Maguire got a well-deserved homecoming to Cavan when she returned to Ireland after smashing the record for a rookie in the 2021 Solheim Cup. Maguire also said “Playing on the winning European Solheim Cup team last September was definitely one of the highlights of my professional career so far. As golfers we don’t get that many opportunities to compete as part of a team so it is always nice to play for something bigger than yourself. Our team dynamic was really special that week and we did our utmost to ensure that we would secure the win for each other.” Maguire’s extraordinary performance in Ohio resulted in winning individual accolades by winning both Irish Writers Golf Association and Professional Player of the Year awards.
2022
Maguire sets the standards for Ireland on LPGA Tour as the Cavan woman won her first tournament at Drive On Championship. Maguire revealed “I am always very proud to represent Ireland when I play all over the world and I am really lucky to be supported by some of the best fans in the world. After my win I was overwhelmed by the amount of lovely messages and cards that I received from people all over the country and it was so nice for me to see the joy that I can bring to others who watch and support me along my journey.” A well-deserved win for Maguire.
Major performances
Maguire gets great success out of her wood game “It’s no secret that my 9 wood is my favourite club in the bag and has been for the past few seasons. I find that many amateurs are reluctant to get rid of long irons out of their bags but personally I find them so much more forgiving that a 4 or 5 iron. The courses that we are playing out on the LPGA are getting longer year on year so my woods come in very handy when I need a nice high shot that lands softly into a tucked pin on a lengthy par3 or 4.” Maguire used her wood game to her advantage as she finished tied 4th at 2022 AIG Women’s Open and she said afterwards “I was really happy with my performance at Muirfield, especially how I finished with a strong round in some difficult conditions on the final day.”
Irish Open
Maguire was overwhelmed with the turnout at Dromoland Castle as she also revealed “Absolutely, it is great to the see the WIO back on the LET schedule after almost 10 years off it. Irish are always great to come out and support me no matter where in the world that I play but it. Is always even more special to get to play in front of them at home. It was also so great to see so many young girls and boys coming out to watch and I hope that hosting events like the WIO will serve to inspire and motivate more young players to take up the game and enjoy it as much as I have.” Maguire was delighted with her third round at Women’s Irish Open “I really didn’t do anything differently. I was quite tired after Friday’s round and I think just a goodnights sleep and some rest was the perfect remedy for shooting a great round on Saturday. There were so many fans out to watch on Saturday so it was nice to be able to give them some birdies and even an eagle.”
LPGA
The CME Group Tour Championship is the final tournament on the LPGA Tour schedule and Maguire feels that “I’m looking forward to finishing the season off strong with the last two events in Florida. I feel as though I have played solidly throughout the year and my game has been trending nicely over the last number of weeks. I have played both courses before so it is always nice to go back to courses that we have played in previous years.” Wishing Leona all the best for the final tournaments of 2022 on the LPGA Tour.
https://www.buzz.ie/sport/leona-maguire-started-meteoric-rise-28452294.amp