Leona Maguire’s sensational form this year has propelled her to remarkable heights, helping her to achieve her second victory on the LPGA Tour and reach a career-best 10th in the world rankings. But rewind to just over two years ago, and it was at the 2021 Solheim Cup that the world really stood up and took notice of the 28-year-old Irishwoman. Her exceptional performance contributed significantly to just the European team’s second victory on US soil.
Maguire’s partnerships in foursomes and four-balls with Melissa Reid and Georgia Hall proved to be a winning formula. Her convincing 5&4 singles victory over Jennifer Kupcho earned the Solheim Cup rookie the title of Europe’s leading points scorer, with Maguire boasting an unbeaten record and claiming 4.5 points out of 5 at the Inverness Club in Ohio.
During our conversation before the Aramco Series London – one of the few team events on the women’s professional tours – Maguire shares her love for team golf enthusiastically, a passion that developed from her extensive experience during her junior career with Golf Ireland and her time at Duke University in North Carolina, not forgetting her participation in two Ping Junior Solheim Cups. “We don’t get to play team golf very often,” she says, “But it’s a lot of fun when you do come together as a team and support each other.”
Maguire goes on to reflect fondly on the 2021 Solheim Cup, particularly the dynamics of her formidable partnership with Melissa Reid. It all began in the morning foursomes on day one when the pair posted a European point with a thrilling 1-up victory over the tenacious sister duo, Jessica and Nelly Korda. The performances of Maguire and Reid exemplified perfectly the all-important teamwork and level of communication skills crucial for success, as Maguire highlights:
“The fact Mel and I hadn’t played a lot together, there was a massive amount of communication between us. We continually checked in with each other, asking, ‘Are you okay?’ What do you need me to do?’ We also relied on our sense of humour to get along. We weren’t afraid to offend each other and, in that sort of environment, you are just…
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