Lydia Ko, Leona Maguire could deliver epic duel at the CME

NAPLES, Fla. — Lydia Ko doesn’t want to think about it like a match-play Sunday. After three rounds of the CME Group Tour Championship, Ko sits knotted with Ireland’s Leona Maguire, the hero of last year’s European Solheim Cup team.

Ko could clinch Rolex LPGA Player of the Year, the Vare Trophy, the World No. 1 ranking and money title with a victory and the record $2 million prize. Maguire could further grow her lion-hearted reputation.

“I’m as competitive as they get,” said Maguire, who earlier this year became the first Irish player to win on the LPGA.

Maguire began the day seven shots behind Ko, but a flawless 9-under 63 vaulted her into a tie with Ko at 15 under. Putts swirled around the cup and dropped for Maguire all day, just as her caddie said they would. She needed only 25.

“I think the Solheim Cup was a big part of my journey,” said Maguire, who collected 4.5 points at Inverness. “I have a lot to thank to Beanie (Catriona Matthew) here for picking me, but I think the biggest thing was confidence, feeling like I belonged on that team playing all five matches doing as well as I did.”

Maguire and Ko duel won’t alone, however, as officials have moved to split tees and threesomes for the final round with incoming weather expected in the afternoon. Former U.S. Women’s Open champion Jeongeun Lee6 will join the pair after a second straight 68.

If Leona wins the $2 million tomorrow it would be the second biggest winner’s cheque ever won by an Irish golfer. Tied with Ko on 15-under, 5 clear. McIlroy won $2.25m at The Players in 2019. Lowry $1.93m at Portrush. Harrington $1.54m at Carnoustie. Clarke $1.45m at Sandwich.

— Brian Keogh (@IrishGolfDesk) November 19, 2022

Ko, who leads the POY race by one point over Minjee Lee, could win the award for the first time since 2015. She could also rise to No. 1 for the first time since the summer of 2017. The Kiwi spent a total of 104 weeks at the top. Ko would have to win and have current No. 1 Nelly Korda finish solo 21st or worse. Korda is currently tied for 12th.

Last month, Ko wrote on Instagram that she and swing coach Sean Foley were no longer working together. Over the summer, she started working with both Foley and Ted Oh, whom she’d worked with previously. Oh is in Naples this week.

“I think both Sean and Ted wanted me to swing naturally to how I should be swinging,” she said, “not to try and make a picture-perfect swing.”