Leona Maguire
Leona Maguire | |||
---|---|---|---|
![]() Maguire in November 2015 | |||
Personal information | |||
Born | County Cavan, Ireland | 30 November 1994||
Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) | ||
Sporting nationality | ![]() | ||
Residence | Cavan, Ireland | ||
Career | |||
College | Duke University | ||
Turned professional | 2018 | ||
Current tour(s) | Ladies European Tour LPGA Tour | ||
Former tour(s) | Symetra Tour | ||
Professional wins | 2 | ||
Number of wins by tour | |||
Symetra Tour | 2 | ||
Best results in LPGA major championships | |||
ANA Inspiration | T18: 2020 | ||
Women's PGA C'ship | T15: 2021 | ||
U.S. Women's Open | CUT: 2016, 2017, 2019 | ||
Women's British Open | T13: 2021 | ||
Evian Championship | T6: 2021 | ||
Achievements and awards | |||
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Leona Maguire (born 30 November 1994)[1] is an Irish professional golfer.
She was ranked 1st in the world on the women's World Amateur Golf Ranking from May 2015 until May 2016 and then from August 2016 until February 2018. Maguire's 135 weeks at the top is the longest in history.[2][3]
She holds many other records including the lowest ever score in the final round of a major by any golfer, male or female, and the joint lowest round in the history of golf's major grand slam tournament rounds, both male and female, with a score of 61. A native of County Cavan, her parents are schoolteachers Declan and Breda Maguire. At the age of 9, she gave up a promising swimming career to concentrate on golf. She is 15 minutes younger than her twin sister, Lisa Maguire, who was also a professional golfer (until she retired in 2019).
Amateur career[]
2005[]
Maguire began her amateur golf career on 17 March 2005 in a competition at Castle Hume golf course in Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, playing off a handicap of 36. By September her handicap had dropped to 14. On 10 September she won the 10th HSBC British Wee Wonders Championship by 11 shots at the Balgove Course, St Andrews, Scotland, with a finishing round of 61.[4] On 13 November she finished runner-up to her sister Lisa in the Young Masters Golf Junior Series at La Manga in Spain.[5]
2006[]
In August at the age of 11, Maguire came joint third in the under-12 World Golf Championship at Pinehurst in North Carolina. Her twin sister Lisa Maguire beat more than 800 competitors from 30 countries to become the new under-12 world champion. In September, the twins were chosen to bring the Ryder Cup trophy to the stage during the presentation ceremony after Europe's win at the K Club against the USA.
2007[]
On 6 May, Maguire became the youngest winner of the Hermitage Ladies Scratch Cup at the age of 12. She also won the St. Leonard's Scottish U-16 Open; Connacht Girls U-18 Championship; Ulster U-19 Schools Championship; The Darren Clarke 2007 Girls Championship; Girls Interprovincial Championship and was runner-up in the Midland and Leinster Championships.
2008[]
In March at the age of thirteen, Maguire won the French Under-18 International title in Paris. On 4 May she successfully defended the Hermitage Ladies Scratch Cup. On 21 May, she won the Lancome Irish Women's Amateur Close Championship at Westport, County Mayo.[6] She beat her twin sister Lisa by 3 and 2 in the final. On 19 July, the positions were reversed when Lisa triumphed over her sister 4 and 3 in the final of the Lancome Irish Girls Close Championship at Mullingar Golf Club. It was the first time in the history of Irish Golf that the Irish Champions of both the Ladies and Girls events came from the same family let alone twin sisters. On 26 July, Leona finished runner-up to her sister who beat her by four shots in the European Young Masters at Chantilly, France. As a result, both twins were picked for the European Junior Ryder Cup Team which later lost to the USA at Olde Stone, Bowling Green, Kentucky on 17 September. In December, Leona and her sister Lisa were named jointly as the Women's Amateur of the Year at the AIB Irish Golf Writers' awards for 2008.
2009[]
On 13 April,[7] Maguire won the French International Lady Juniors U21 Amateur. On 26 April, at the age of 14, she became the youngest ever player to win the Helen Holm Scottish Women's Open Amateur Stroke Play Golf Championship (a record she still holds), played at Troon Portland and Troon Old Course after a final round score of 73 for a 54 hole aggregate score of −6, 219. Her sister Lisa came third. On 11 July, the twins were part of the four girl Ireland team which defeated Sweden 4–1 in the final of the Girls' European Team Championships at Kokkola, Finland to become European Champions for the first time in Irish golfing history. She played for Great Britain and Ireland in the Vagliano Trophy in July, becoming the youngest player at the age of 14 ever to represent the side, along with her twin sister, Lisa. The twins were the joint top highest scorers for the GB&I side which lost to Europe 13–11. Both twins were selected for the 2009 Junior Solheim Cup Team at the Aurora Country Club, Illinois, US in August. She won the Irish Ladies Golf Union Order of Merit award for 2009.
2010[]
On 5 April, Maguire won a second consecutive title at the French Under 21 Open and retained the Esmond Trophy. She played for Great Britain and Ireland in the Curtis Cup in 2010, becoming the youngest player at the age of 15 ever to represent the side, along with her twin sister Lisa. In the same month, she again made more history as the youngest match play qualifier in the British Ladies Amateur over the Royal St David's Links at Harlech, Wales. In September Maguire was awarded the European Ladies' Amateur Golf Ranking's silver medal.
2011[]
In January, Maguire won the Portuguese International Ladies Amateur Championship by 15 strokes.[8][2] In April, she won a second consecutive French Under 21 title. In June, Maguire won the Irish Women's Open Strokeplay title.[9] She played for Great Britain and Ireland in the Vagliano Trophy in June where she won all three of her matches. In August, she won the Ladies' British Open Amateur Stroke Play Championship by six shots, the youngest player to ever win the event. She was chosen along with her sister Lisa in the European side which earned a 12–12 draw against the USA in the PING Junior Solheim Cup at Knightsbrook in Meath on 21 September. She scored the maximum three points in the event. Also in September Maguire was awarded the European Ladies' Amateur Golf Ranking's silver medal. In December, Leona and her sister Lisa were named jointly as the Women's Amateur of the Year at the AIB Irish Golf Writers' awards for 2011.
2012[]
On 22 April, Maguire became the first Irish golfer to win the Irish Girls Open Strokeplay championship, held at Roganstown Golf Club. She beat an international field by eight shots. On 10 June, she was part of the Great Britain & Ireland Curtis Cup team which defeated the USA at Nairn, Scotland by 10.5 points to 9.5 points. On 20 June, Maguire won the Irish Women's Amateur Close Championship at the County Louth Golf Club, for the second time in her career.[10]
2013[]
On 5 May, Maguire won the Hermitage Scratch Cup at Hermitage Golf Club in Lucan, Dublin.
2014[]
Maguire left secondary school at Loreto College, Cavan in Ireland with top scholastic honours and joined Duke University[11] in Durham, North Carolina, U.S.[12]
2015[]
Maguire commenced the year in spectacular form in NCAA college golf, shooting up to first place in the World Amateur Golf Ranking by mid-May. In the Darius Rucker Intercollegiate held at Hilton Head, South Carolina, on 8 March, she came first with rounds of 73, 65, 69. In the ACC Championship held at Greensboro, North Carolina on 19 April, she won with rounds of 68, 68, 70. In the NCAA South Regional held at the Warren Golf course, South Bend, Indiana on 9 May, she won again with rounds of 72, 68, 72, thus helping Duke win the NCAA South Bend Regional title. On 6 May, she was voted the ACC (Atlantic Coast Conference) Player of the Year and ACC Freshman of the Year.
She was also picked for the ACC All-Star team. She also won ACC Golfer of the Month awards for both March and April. On 25 May, she won the 2015 Annika Award for the best golfer of the year in American college women's golf.[13] On 20 May, she was chosen as a member of the South Bend Region All-Star team.
On 26 May, Leona was honoured both as the WGCA Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year for 2015 and was also chosen on the 2015 WGCA All-American team. She was also the recipient of the 2014–15 Golfstat Cup presented to the player who has the best scoring average. Maguire's stroke average of 70.78 was the best in the history of Duke University women's golf. She also tied the Duke record of 24 par rounds or better in a season and tied the Duke record for most wins in a season with three.
At the British Ladies Amateur held at Portstewart, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland on 11–13 June, Maguire won the stroke play part of the competition, finishing 6 strokes ahead of the field with rounds of 67, 68. She also helped Ireland to win the international team event.
On 25 June, Maguire was named on the 2015 All-ACC Academic Team which recognises academic excellence as well as athletic excellence. In June Maguire won the Golfweek National Player of the Year award and also was selected to Golfweek First Team All-America. On 6 July Maguire was named on the WGCA 2015 All-American Scholar Team. On 27 July, Maguire represented Great Britain & Ireland in the Vagliano Trophy against Europe, held at Malone Golf Club, Belfast, Northern Ireland. Europe won 12 1/2 points to 11 1/2. Maguire was undefeated, contributing 3 1/2 points of the GB & Ireland total.
Maguire was invited as a guest amateur to play in the European Ladies Tour's ISPS Handa Ladies European Masters held at Buckinghamshire Golf Club, Denham, England on 2–5 July. Maguire stunned the professionals by finishing second, just one shot off the lead with rounds of 69, 70, 69, 69. As an amateur Maguire could not accept the 2nd place prize money of €50,000. In her last seven stroke play competitions, she finished 1st, 3rd, 1st, 1st, 2nd, 1st and 2nd. On 20 August 2015, Maguire was awarded the Mark H. McCormack Medal given annually to the number one ranked female amateur player in the world.[14] Maguire was invited to play in the fifth and final major of the year, The Evian Championship held at Evians Golf Club, Evian Les Bains, France, on 10–13 September.
Maguire finished as leading amateur and became the first woman ever from the Republic of Ireland to make the cut in a major. As an amateur Maguire could not accept her prize money of €18,648, meaning she has forfeited over €68,000 in prize money in 2015. Although still an amateur and having only played a couple of professional tournaments in 2015, Maguire was ranked in the top 300 of the Women's World Golf Rankings.[15] In September Maguire was awarded the European Ladies' Amateur Golf Ranking's gold medal.
Maguire won her fourth tournament of 2015, Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invite held at Chapel Hill, North Carolina on 9–11 October with rounds of 69, 72, 71. She has now spent six consecutive months on top of the World Amateur Golf Ranking. She was selected as ACC Golfer of the Month for October 2015.
On 11 December, Maguire was chosen as a member of the Global Golf Post All-Star amateur team of 2015. On 16 December, Maguire was named as Irish Independent Young Sportstar of the Year for 2015. On 20 December, Maguire was named as the Irish Golf Writers' Women's Amateur of the Year for 2015. On 27 December, Maguire was named as AmateurGolf.com Women's Player of the Year for 2015.
2016[]
On 15 March 2016, Maguire was named the ACC Women's Co-Golfer of the Month for February. On 14 April 2016 Maguire completed her 11th consecutive month on top of the world rankings.
On 17 May 2016, Maguire was selected for the WGCA All-Region squads for the second year in a row. On 25 May 2016, Maguire was selected for the WGCA All-America first team for the second year in a row.
On 12 June 2016 at Dún Laoghaire Golf Club, Maguire was part of the Great Britain & Ireland team which defeated the USA in an 11½ to 8½ win in the 2016 Curtis Cup. She contributed 4 points to the winning total. On 21 June, Maguire was selected on the All-ACC Academic Team for the second year in a row. In June, Maguire was selected to Golfweek First Team All-America for the second straight season. On 5 Jul,y Maguire was selected for the 2015-16 WGCA All-American Scholars Team which recognises academic excellence as well as athletic excellence, for the second year in a row.
On 31 July at the Woburn Golf and Country Club in England, Maguire won the Smyth Salver when she finished as the leading amateur at the Ricoh Women's British Open, one of the major championships. As an amateur, she forfeited her 25th place prize money of $25,500, after rounds of 71, 70, 68, 75. In the last 12 months, she forfeited over $100,000 in prize money as a result of her amateur status, despite playing only a handful of professional tournaments. As a result of the points earned at the British Open, she regained her world number one amateur ranking on 3 August 2016.[16]
On 15 August 2016, Maguire was awarded the Mark H. McCormack Medal given annually to the number one ranked female amateur player in the world. This is the second successive season Maguire has won the award.[17] On 20 August Maguire finished 21st overall and was the leading amateur at the Rio Olympics Women's Golf for a two under par total of 282, with scores of 74, 65, 74, 69.
On 17 September, Maguire helped Ireland to a third place bronze medal in the 2016 Espirito Santo Trophy held at Mayakoka El Camaleon Golf Club in Mexico. Maguire finished in a tie for 6th place in the individual rankings with rounds of 72, 70, 71, 69 for a 6-under-par total of 282.[18] On 28 September, Maguire was awarded the European Ladies' Amateur Golf Ranking's gold medal for the second successive year. On 2 November, she helped Duke win the East Lake Cup held at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, beating Washington State in the final. On 28 November, Maguire was chosen as a member of the Global Golf Post All-Star amateur team of 2016.
On 3 August, Maguire announced she would turn professional after the Brazil Olympics and would enter the LPGA Tour qualifying school in October. After successfully completing stage II at qualifying school, Maguire withdrew prior to stage III and stated she would return to Duke.[19]
2017[]
Maguire started the year with a victory on 14 February in the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge played at the 6,017-yard, par 71 Palos Verdes Golf Club. She finished joint first with rounds of 68, 71, 70 for her fifth college victory, also helping Duke to third place in the tournament. Maguire added her second victory of the year at the LSU Tiger Golf Classic held at University Club in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA on 26 March. She finished with a total of 206 after rounds of 67, 68, 71, which included an eagle. She also helped Duke University win the team title.
In her seven tournaments of the 2016–17 college season, Maguire has only finished outside the top three places on one occasion. Her victory equalled the Duke University record of six individual wins held by Brittany Lang and . Maguire was selected as ACC Golfer of the Month for March 2017, which is the fifth time she has won the monthly award in her college golf career. Maguire won again on 15 April, claiming the ACC Championship for the second time in her career. She finished with a total of 210 after rounds of 68, 72 & 70 at the Reserve Golf Club in Pawleys Island, South Carolina, USA. She also helped Duke University to win the ACC team title.[2]
Maguire was selected as ACC Golfer of the Month for April 2017, which is the sixth time she has won the monthly award in her college golf career.[20]
On 11 May, Maguire was voted the ACC Women's Golfer of the Year for the second time in her career and was also selected for the All-ACC Women's Golf Team for the third year in a row.[21] Also on 11 May Maguire was selected for the College Sports Information Directors of America Academic All-District III Women's At-Large Team, which recognises the nation's top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom.[22]
On 23 May, Maguire was named the USA Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) National Player of the Year for the second time in three years and became just the fifth player in history to win the award multiple times. She was also selected for the WGCA First Team All-Americans.[23]
Over 10 events in 2016–17, Maguire registered eight top-five placements, three victories, nine rounds in the 60s and 21 rounds of even or under par. She finished no lower than tied sixth over the course of the season including a Duke University and ACC all-time record 70.29 season stroke average, which is also the second lowest average in NCAA history after Lorena Ochoa's average of 70.13 in 2002.
On 24 May, Maguire was awarded the 2016-17 GolfStat Cup which is presented to the player with the best scoring average versus par with at least 20 full rounds played during a season. It was the second time in her career to win the cup.[24] Maguire also finished in first place on the Golfweek/Sagarin women's college end of season rankings. On 8 June Maguire won the Annika Award for the second time, becoming the only person to win it twice.[25] She was also selected on the CoSIDA Academic All-America® Division I Women's At-Large Team, only the second Duke golfer in history to be so.
On 17 June, Maguire won the British Ladies Amateur Golf Championship for the first time, beating Ainhoa Olarra of Spain 3 & 2 in the matchplay final held at the Pyle & Kenfig Golf Club, Waun-y-Mer, Wales. On 25 June, Maguire was named the ACC Women's Golf Scholar-Athlete of the Year and was also named to the All-ACC Academic Team for the third year in a row.[26]
On 28 June, Maguire won the Golfweek National Player of the Year award for the second time in her career and was also selected to Golfweek First Team All-America for the third straight season. On 6 July, Maguire represented Great Britain & Ireland in the Vagliano Trophy against Europe, held at Circolo Golf Bogogno, Italy. Europe won 15 points to 9. Maguire contributed 1 point of the GB & Ireland total.
On 5 July, Maguire was selected for the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-American Scholars Team for the third year in a row. On 10 July Maguire was awarded the 2017 Edith Cummings Munson Golf Award by the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA). She is only the second golfer in history to win both the Edith Cummings Munson Golf Award and the WGCA Player of the Year in the same season. On 6 August, at the Kingsbarns Golf Links, Scotland, Maguire made the cut and was runner-up for the Smyth Salver awarded to the leading amateur at the Ricoh Women's British Open, one of the major professional championships, after rounds of 69, 71, 70, 75.
On 15 August 2017, Maguire was awarded the Mark H. McCormack Medal given annually to the number one ranked female amateur golf player in the world. This is the third successive season Maguire has won the award thus equalling the all-time record holder Lydia Ko.
On 12 September, Maguire began the 2017-2018 College Golf season by winning the Jim West Challenge at The Fazio Course at The Club at Carlton Woods, The Woodlands, Texas, USA. Her rounds of 67, 63, 70 for a total of 200 included the lowest round of her career, a 63, which is the second lowest round in the history of Duke University, one stroke behind Liz Janangelo's 62. Maguire's 36-hole and 54-hole totals of 130 & 200 also broke the Duke all-time scoring records for two and three rounds. Her 13-under par total of 200 also broke the tournament all-time record. She also helped Duke win the team title at the tournament as well as setting a new school team scoring record of 33-under par total of 819. Duke also set a new Jim West Challenge tournament record for under par (-33) and 54-hole score (819). This is Maguire's fifth title of the calendar year 2017.player - Jim West Challenge
On 9 October, Maguire was awarded the European Ladies' Amateur Golf Ranking's gold medal for the third successive year. On 11 October, Maguire was selected as ACC Golfer of the Month for September 2017, which is the seventh time she has won the monthly award in her college golf career. She now holds the record for most ACC Golfer of the Month awards. Maguire won her second tournament of the 2017-18 college season and her sixth win of the calendar year 2017 at the Ruth's Chris Tar Heel Invite held at Chapel Hill, North Carolina on 15 October with rounds of 69, 66, 69. Her 12-under par total was a tournament record. She also helped Duke win the team title at the tournament.
On 22 October, Maguire qualified to play in the professional Symetra Tour in 2018 by finishing in ninth place at the LPGA Qualifying Tournament (Stage II) with rounds of 70, 69, 70, 72.[27] She finished as the second highest amateur. On 9 November Maguire was selected as ACC Golfer of the Month for November 2017, which is the eight time she has won the monthly award in her college golf career. On 27 November Maguire was named 2017 Global Golf Post Female Amateur of the Year.[2] She was also chosen as a member of the Global Golf Post All-Star amateur team of 2017, the third year in a row that she has been selected.
On 21 December, Maguire was named as the Irish Golf Writers' Women's Amateur of the Year for 2017, the fourth time she has won the award. On 26 December, Maguire was named as AmateurGolf.com Women's Player of the Year for 2017, the second time she has won the award which means she is the joint record holder in the history of the award.
2018[]
On 31 January, Maguire broke Lydia Ko's record for the most weeks at the top of the World Amateur rankings, with 131 weeks. On 28 February, Maguire was named as an honorary recipient of the ACC Weaver-James-Corrigan postgraduate scholarship, which is awarded to selected student-athletes who intend to pursue a graduate degree following completion of their undergraduate requirements.
On 14 April at the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic in Athens, Georgia, Maguire broke the all-time ACC record of most even or under par rounds in a college career. Her record of 80 even or under par rounds (she eventually finished her college career with 87 such rounds, the second best in NCAA history) also breaks the Duke record held by Amanda Blumenherst.
On 23 April, Maguire claimed her third win of the 2017–18 college season by winning the ACC Championship for the third time in her career, which matches the all-time record of Amanda Blumenherst. She finished with a total of 210 and won on the third hole of a playoff against Duke teammate Jaravee Boonchant. She also helped Duke to win the ACC team title for the second year in a row. Maguire also matched the Duke 18-hole record for the ACC Championship with a five-under 67. It tied Brittany Lang (2004 on par 71) and Maria Garcia-Estrada (2000 on par 72). Her round of 67 also broke the ACC Championship course record at Grandover Resort. On 23 April Maguire was presented with the Duke University Lifetime Achievement Award.
On 3 May, Maguire broke the all-time record for most ACC Golfer of the Month awards when she was selected for the ninth time. On 4 May Maguire was voted the Atlantic Coast Conference Women's Golfer of the Year for the third time in her career. She was also chosen for the All-ACC Team for the fourth time in her career. On 8 May Maguire broke the all-time Duke University record of most rounds in the 60s. Her score of 65 at the 2018 NCAA Women's Regional Championship, held at the University Ridge Golf Course, Madison, Wisconsin, USA, was the 31st of her career in college golf, beating Amanda Blumenherst's record of 30. On 10 May, Maguire was inducted into Phi Beta Kappa, America's oldest academic honor society.
On 11 May, Maguire was awarded the ACC Plaque for Excellence, Scholarship and Athletics. Maguire's final 70.97 college career scoring average is the best in NCAA history for any female golfer with at least 100 rounds.
On 22 May, Maguire was selected for the USA Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) All-Americans First Team. On 23 May Maguire was selected CoSIDA Academic All-District III for the second straight year. She was recognised for obtaining a 3.943 grade-point average along with a degree in psychology and a certificate in markets and management studies.
On 9 June, Maguire was selected to Golfweek First Team All-America for the fourth season in a row. On 13 June, Maguire selected on the CoSIDA Academic All-America® Women's At-Large Team for the second year in a row with a Grade Point Average of 3.94 or A. On 20 June, Maguire was named the ACC Women's Golf Scholar-Athlete of the Year for the second year in a row and was also named to the All-ACC Academic Team for the fourth year in a row.
On 4 July, Maguire was selected for the 2017-18 WGCA All-American Scholars Team which recognises academic excellence as well as athletic excellence, for the fourth year in a row, a Duke University record.
On 6 July, Maguire was selected on the annual ACC Honor Roll for the fourth year in a row. On 12 July Maguire was awarded the 2018 Edith Cummings Munson Golf Award by the Women's Golf Coaches Association (WGCA) for the second year in a row. Amateurgolf.com selected her as the second best female amateur golfer of the last ten years.[28] Golfweek selected Maguire as the best women's college golfer of the last decade.[29]
Professional career[]
2018[]
On 5 June 2018, Maguire turned professional. Both herself and her twin sister Lisa Maguire signed to singer Niall Horan's golf management company Modest! Golf and also signed sponsorship deals with Puma, Ping, Allianz and KPMG. She will be based in Scottsdale, Arizona. On 8 June, Maguire made her professional debut on the LPGA Tour at the ShopRite LPGA Classic in Galloway, New Jersey, USA. She finished in 15th place with rounds of 69, 67, 69, including the first eagle of her professional career, and received prize money of $24,891.00. Her ranking on the World Women's Golf Ranking at the start of her professional career before the tournament was 614. As of 11 June, her world ranking is 442, a huge jump of 172 places in a week.[15] On 15 June, Maguire made her debut on the Symetra Tour at the Decatur-Forsyth Classic in Decatur, Illinois, USA. She finished in third place with rounds of 69, 68, 69, including the first hole-in-one of her professional career and received prize money of $6,574. Her first six rounds as a professional have all been in the 60s. As of 18 June, her world ranking is 414, a jump of 28 places from the previous week. On 23 November, Maguire made her professional debut on the Ladies European Tour at the Andalucia Costa Del Sol Open De España Femenino in La Quinta Golf Resort in Spain. She finished in 18th place with rounds of 71, 72, 73, 69 and received prize money of €4,575. On 20 December, Maguire secured her Category 5c status card for the 2019 Ladies European Tour by finishing 5th in the Qualifying Finals Lalla Aicha Tour School at Marrakesh, Morocco, with rounds of 68, 70, 70, 72, 67.
2019[]
On 1 April, Maguire moved into the top 300 on the world ranking list for the first time as a professional, after finishing fourth in the IOA Championship on the Symetra Tour. She led the tournament after two rounds. On 7 April Maguire won her first professional tournament at the Windsor Golf Classic in Windsor, California. Her total of 204 with rounds of 70, 69, 65 took her into a playoff which she won at the first hole with a birdie. She won prize money of $22,500. On 1 May, Maguire broke the course record at the LET Omega Dubai Moonlight Classic on the Faldo Course at Emirates Golf Club in Dubai. Her round of 64 was the lowest in her professional career. She finished the tournament in the top five. On 6 May Maguire won the U.S. Women's Open qualifying tournament at Pinnacle Creek Country Club in Arizona, USA with rounds of 66, 68. On 11 May Maguire reached the playoff of the Symetra Tour IOA Invitational at Milton, Georgia. She finished in second place after the playoff. On 17 May, Maguire moved into the top 175 on the world ranking list for the first time as a professional, after winning the Symetra Classic held in Davidson, North Carolina. Her total of 206 with rounds of 70, 69, 67, gave her a five stroke lead and prize money of $26,250. She is ranked number 1 on the Symetra Tour Official Money List and number 1 on scoring averages with 69.789. This was the seventh time she carded a top-five finish in her last eight tournaments. Maguire's new world ranking of 174 means she has jumped 440 places since turning professional. On 6 October, Maguire secured her LPGA Tour card for the 2020 season by finishing seventh on the money list on the Symetra Tour. Her total Symetra Tour career prize money was $120,760. She joins her compatriot Stephanie Meadow, the first time in history Ireland has two professionals on the LPGA Tour.
2020[]
Maguire was ranked 100 on the LPGA Priority List for the 2020 season.[30] On 23 January, Maguire made her LPGA Tour debut at the Gainbridge LPGA at Boca Rio in Boca Raton, Florida. On 9 February Maguire achieved her first top five finish as an LPGA professional with a fourth place in the ISPS Handa Vic Open at the 13th Beach Golf Links on the Bellarine Peninsula in Victoria, finishing just one shot off the lead. She won $52,000 and moved up 62 places in the world ranking list. On 13 September, Maguire recorded her highest ever placing in a professional golf major with 18th place in the ANA Inspiration at Rancho Mirage, California, U.S. This was also the highest placing in a professional golf major by a professional female golfer from the Republic of Ireland. As well as prize money of $39,726 the result pushed Maguire to number one place on the LPGA Putting Average rankings. Her world ranking is now 168, a rise of 446 places since she turned professional. Maguire ended the year ranked number one on the LPGA Putting Average statistics list with an average of 28.69 putts per round, the first Irish golfer to achieve first place and also the first alumna from Duke University to do so.[31] She finished ahead of second place Inbee Park, the former world number one and seven-time major winner. She also secured her tour card for 2021 as well as finishing in the top 11 on the Tour for Driving Accuracy and Putts per GIR.
2021[]
On 17 April, Maguire achieved her highest placing in a LPGA Tour event and also the highest ever by any Irish female golfer, with joint second at the Lotte Championship, held in Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii. She won her biggest-ever career prize money of $125,834 with rounds of 68, 67, 65, 67, including two eagles. Her score of 267 was the lowest tournament total in her professional career and her third round score of 65 was the lowest in her LPGA career.[32] As a result, she broke into the top 100 on the Women's World Golf Rankings for the first time, ranked 93. On 10 June, Maguire equalled the tournament record lowest round score, with a 65 at the LPGA Mediheal Championship held at the Lake Merced Golf Club, Daly City, California, which meant she was the overnight leader. She finished the event in the top-10. She earned prize money of $29,513 and boosted her world ranking to its highest ever position of 88th place. On 20 June, Maguire had the biggest payday of her career at the Meijer LPGA Classic at the Blythefield Country Club, Grand Rapids, Michigan.[33] She finished second to Nelly Korda with rounds of 65, 64, 70, 66, earning $214,000. Maguire's second round score of 64 was the lowest in her LPGA career. She was the overnight leader after both the first and second rounds. Her 72 hole score of 265 was the lowest tournament total in her professional career and actually beat the existing tournament record until Korda set a new one. This was her fourth top-10 finish of the season. As a result, her world ranking was boosted to its highest ever position of 63rd place. On 27 June, Maguire recorded her highest ever placing in a professional golf major with 15th place in the KPMG Women's PGA Championship, held at the Atlanta Athletic Club, Johns Creek, Georgia. This was also the highest placing in a professional golf major by a professional female golfer from the Republic of Ireland. Her finish earned her prize money of $58,839 and pushed her world golf ranking up to 60th place, her highest ever. On 11 July, Maguire finished in the top 15 of the rain-shortened Marathon Classic at Sylvania, Ohio. Her prize money was $25,099 and her world ranking rose to 59th place. On 25 July, Maguire shot the lowest ever final round score, by any golfer male or female, in the history of the 756 major grand slam tournaments held so far (c. 50,000 individual final rounds) with a 61 in the last round of The Evian Championship.[34][35] It was also the joint lowest of any round in the history of all golf's major grand slam tournaments, either male or female (c. 200,000 individual rounds). The other two joint record holders are Lee Jeong-eun and Kim Hyo-joo. It was also Maguire's lowest ever round in her professional golf career. This helped her to finish tied for 6th, her first ever top-10 result in an LPGA major. It was also the highest placing in a professional golf major by a professional female golfer from the Republic of Ireland. Her prize money was $123,703 and her world golf ranking rose to 50th place, her highest ever. On 7 August Maguire participated in her second Olympic Games at the Kasumigaseki Country Club in Japan. She finished 23rd overall for a five under par total of 279, with scores of 71, 67, 70, 71. On 15 August, she achieved her sixth consecutive top 15 place on an LPGA Tour event by finishing 15th in the Trust Golf Women's Scottish Open at Dumbarnie Links, Fife. As a result her world golf ranking rose to 48th place, her highest ever. She also passed the $1 million mark in career earnings.[36] On 22 August, she achieved her seventh consecutive top 15 place at an LPGA Tour event by finishing 13th in the 2021 Women's British Open at Carnoustie Golf Links, Angus, Scotland. None of her last 29 rounds of golf have been over par. As a result, her world golf ranking rose to 43rd place, her highest ever.[37] The following day, she was selected to represent Team Europe at the 2021 Solheim Cup. She is the first ever Irish representative to be selected.[38] On 6 September 2021, Maguire broke the all-time rookie points record in either the Solheim Cup or the Ryder Cup with a total of 4.5 points, which helped Europe to win the cup.[39][40] On 11 November, Maguire broke both the tournament and course records at the Pelican Women's Championship in Belleair, Florida, US with a score of 62, the second lowest round of her professional career. She was the overnight leader for the fourth time on the 2021 LPGA Tour. Maguire finished the year as runner-up in the LPGA Rookie of the Year and 19th on the LPGA Money List with earnings of $885,141. She also secured her LPGA Tour card for the 2022 season. On 20 December, Maguire was named as the Irish Golf Writers’ Association Professional Player of the Year, only the second woman to be so honoured in the history of the award.[41]
Professional wins (2)[]
Symetra Tour wins (2)[]
No. | Date | Tournament | Winning score | To par | Margin of victory |
Runner-up |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 7 Apr 2019 | Windsor Golf Classic | 70-69-65=204 | −12 | Playoff | ![]() |
2 | 17 May 2019 | Symetra Classic | 70-69-67=206 | −10 | 5 strokes | ![]() |
Results in LPGA majors[]
Results not in chronological order before 2019 or in 2020.
Tournament | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANA Inspiration | CUT | T18 | T28 | |||||||
U.S. Women's Open | CUT | CUT | CUT | |||||||
Women's PGA Championship | CUT | T65 | T15 | |||||||
The Evian Championship | T34LA | NT | T6 | |||||||
Women's British Open | CUT | T25LA | T49 | CUT | T13 |
LA = Low amateur
CUT = missed the half-way cut
NT = no tournament
"T" = tied
Summary[]
Tournament | Wins | 2nd | 3rd | Top-5 | Top-10 | Top-25 | Events | Cuts made |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ANA Inspiration | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
U.S. Women's Open | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
Women's PGA Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
The Evian Championship | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
Women's British Open | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 3 |
Totals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 16 | 9 |
- Most consecutive cuts made – 6 (2020 ANA – 2021 British, current)
- Longest streak of top-10s – 1 (2021 Evian)
Team appearances[]
Amateur
- Junior Ryder Cup (representing Europe): 2008
- Junior Solheim Cup (representing Europe): 2009, 2011
- Vagliano Trophy (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 2009, 2011, 2015, 2017
- Curtis Cup (representing Great Britain & Ireland): 2010, 2012 (winners), 2016 (winners)
- Espirito Santo Trophy (representing Ireland): 2010, 2012, 2016
- European Ladies' Team Championship (representing Ireland ): 2011, 2013
Professional
- Solheim Cup (representing Europe): 2021 (winners)
Solheim Cup record[]
Year | Total matches |
Total W–L–H |
Singles W–L–H |
Foursomes W–L–H |
Fourballs W–L–H |
Points won |
Points % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Career | 5 | 4–0–1 | 1–0–0 | 2–0–0 | 1–0–1 | 4.5 | 90.0 |
2021 | 5 | 4–0–1 | 1–0–0 def. J. Kupcho 5&4 | 2–0–0 won w/ M. Reid 1 up won w/ M. Reid 5&4 |
1–0–1 won w/ G. Hall 1 up halved w/ M. Reid |
4.5 | 90.0 |
References[]
- ^ "2010 Curtis Cup Roster". USGA. Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2011.
- ^ a b c "Leona Maguire". World Amateur Golf Ranking. Retrieved 28 April 2017.
- ^ "O'Sullivan becomes world number one". World Amateur Golf Ranking. 11 May 2016.
- ^ "HSBC Wee Wonders Grand Finalists". The Golf Wire. 19 September 2005.
- ^ "Talented Maguire twins set for stardom - News". Irish Golf Desk.
- ^ "Irish Ladies Championship". KirkwoodGolf. 21 May 2008. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ This competition is always held over the Easter weekend.
- ^ "Leona Maguire clinches 15-shot triumph in Portugal". BBC Sport. 31 January 2011.
- ^ "Maguire wins Irish amateur title". RTÉ. 19 June 2011. Retrieved 19 August 2011.
- ^ "Leona Maguire beats Stephanie Meadow in Irish final". KirkwoodGolf. 19 June 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2021.
- ^ "Leona Maguire - 2017-18 - Women's Golf". Duke University.
- ^ "Leona Maguire Bio". Duke Blue Devils. Retrieved 13 May 2015.
- ^ Lavner, Ryan (26 May 2015). "Duke's Maguire wins Annika Award as top player". Golf Channel.
- ^ "Leona Maguire wins Mark H McCormack Medal as leading Women's Amateur". R&A. 20 August 2015. Archived from the original on 29 August 2015.
- ^ a b "Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings". Rolex Rankings.
- ^ "Maguire tops world after British performance". World Amateur Golf Ranking. 3 August 2016.
- ^ "Leona Maguire wins Mark H McCormack Medal for second year in a row". R&A. 15 August 2016.
- ^ "27th Espirito Santo Trophy – Individual Scoring". IGF.
- ^ "Leona Maguire Withdraws from Q-School; Will Not Pursue LPGA Membership in 2017". LPGA. 23 November 2016.
- ^ Atlantic Coast Conference (2 May 2017). "ACC announces women's golfer of the month". Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
- ^ Atlantic Coast Conference (11 May 2017). "2017 all-ACC women's golf team announced". Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
- ^ College Sports Information Directors of America (11 May 2017). "2017 CoSIDA academic all-district men's and women's at-large teams announced". Retrieved 29 August 2017.
- ^ Thomson, Paige (23 May 2017). "Leona Maguire Named PING WGCA Player of the Year". Women's Golf Coaches Association. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
- ^ Thomson, Paige (24 May 2017). "Leona Maguire Captures Golfstat Cup". Women's Golf Coaches Association. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
- ^ Annika Foundation (2017). "Leona Maguire". Retrieved 29 August 2017.
- ^ Atlantic Coast Conference (5 July 2017). "2017 all-ACC academic women's golf team announced". Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
- ^ "Choi, Maguire Place in Top Nine of LPGA Qualifying". Duke Blue Devils. 22 October 2017.
- ^ "TOP 10 amateur golfers of the 2010s". AmateurGolf.com.
- ^ "10 best women's college golfers of the decade". 3 December 2019.
- ^ "2020 LPGA Priority List" (PDF). LPGA. 24 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
- ^ "Maguire Leads LPGA in Putting; Blue Devils Make Impact on LPGA Tour". Duke University.
- ^ Keogh, Brian (18 April 2021). "Solheim Cup spot in play for Leona Maguire as 'proud' Irish women finishes second in Hawaii and scoops €105k". Irish Independent.
- ^ "Runner-Up Leona Maguire Will Forever Remember 2021 Meijer LPGA Classic". LPGA. 20 June 2021.
- ^ "Leona Maguire shoots stunning 61 to equal lowest round in major history". The42. 25 July 2021.
- ^ "Leona Maguire Blazes Through Evian Final Round". LPGA. 25 July 2021.
- ^ "Steve Palmer's Women's Open predictions & free golf betting tips". Racing Post. 17 August 2021.
- ^ "Nordqvist wins British Open to claim third major, 13th-place finish for Maguire". The42. Press Association. 22 August 2021.
- ^ "Three Rookies Picked By Catriona Matthew For Team Europe At 2021 Solheim Cup". Ladies European Tour. 23 August 2021.
- ^ Murray, Ewan (6 September 2021). "Europe retain Solheim Cup after thrilling victory over USA". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
- ^ "Leona Maguire: 'I couldn't have asked for a better week - or given anything more'". The42. Press Association. 6 September 2021. Retrieved 8 September 2021.
- ^ [1]
External links[]
- Leona Maguire at the LPGA Tour official site
- Leona Maguire at the Women's World Golf Rankings official site
- Irish female golfers
- LPGA Tour golfers
- Ladies European Tour golfers
- Winners of ladies' major amateur golf championships
- Olympic golfers of Ireland
- Golfers at the 2016 Summer Olympics
- Golfers at the 2020 Summer Olympics
- Solheim Cup competitors for Europe
- Duke Blue Devils women's golfers
- Sportspeople from County Cavan
- Twin sportspeople
- Twin people from Ireland
- 1994 births
- Living people