Sara Byrne exclusive
Sara Byrne is from Douglas Golf Club and currently lives in Miami. Byrne played her first Ladies European Tour Access event this year were she finished sixth then went on to make the cut at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open. Byrne won two Amateur Irish Women’s Close Championship’s which included winning the final as 17 year old 2& 1 against Louise Coffey. Byrne gives an insight to match play especially with the Solheim Cup this weekend and the Ryder Cup next week in Rome. “It definitely is a big difference just the atmosphere around it a little bit of mentality and it is a different game playing match play because you are playing the golf course & one other person”.
Byrne had the opportunity of meeting two-time LPGA Tour winner Leona Maguire while competing at the recent KPMG Women’s Irish Open. “Just cool seeing her walk around the place playing in the same event as her was really cool”. Maguire is an role model for golf in Ireland especially with winning four out of five games at the Solheim Cup in 2021. “If Leona can do it why can’t we do it, I think she is a great inspiration for everyone especially all the girls in Ireland”. Maguire will play a vital role in Europe attempting to win a third Solheim Cup in a row at Finca Cortesin. “Leona put in all that hard work and it pays off eventually”.
In the men’s professional game the future is uncertain due to LIV and PGA Tour merging but in the lady’s game the LPGA still remains the strongest tour. “Honestly I don’t really know if there is much talks going on I have been keeping out of it just playing my golf as right now it’s just the LPGA I think there is a bit of talk about the LET and LPGA merging”. The popularity of the lady’s game has grown over the last few years especially with prize funds been increased to millions on the LPGA Tour. “It’s honestly insane to think about compared to when I was 13 no one really knew about women’s golf or no one knew any women golfer’s but the amount of media tension that women’s is getting nowadays and the amount of new girls playing golf is good to see”.
Byrne is currently a student at the University of Miami. “I think one semester of college helped me just settle in and learn what it’s like to live over here”. Byrne is focusing on making it as a full time LPGA Tour player. “Yeah it’s definitely the goal it has been a dream of mine since I could walk pretty much be a golfer and be successful”. Byrne is a name to watch out for in ladies’ game over the next few years.