Leona Maguire admits to having had a year of ups and downs but any review that includes a tournament win, and the first ever for Ireland on the European Tour has to be seen in a positive light.
Leona was chatting to media as part of the KPMG Role Model research Launch this week and was in relaxed and cheery form, home for a few weeks around Christmas.
“It was an up and down year, I suppose, as a whole. The highlight was that win in London, getting that, that was a goal at the start of the year to try and get an LET win under my belt and being the first Irish winner on the tour was definitely a highlight.”
“Nearly winning again on the LPGA Tour early in the year in Vegas at the start of the year was another real positive but I obviously ran into Nelly there and what a run she had through the season.
“I would have liked to have played better in the majors this year. Didn’t quite play as well in them as I would have liked, but fairly consistent overall, made a lot of cuts and made it to the Tour Championship.”
“It’s nice to have a bit of an off season now to fine tune a few things and get ready for 2025.”
The broader reach of Women’s Golf and the growing number of players following her onto the professional tour she was positive.
“It’s fantastic to see. Five players at the final stage of the LET Q school this week and Sarah and Lauren were at LPGA Q School last week.”
“It’d be nice to have a few more Irish out on tour, like some of the other countries do. And we’ve, we’ve consistently sort of boxed above our weight when it comes to golf on a world stage. I know the lads have had quite a few out on tour for the last number of years. So it’d be nice to have similar on our side.”
On the Olympics and the Solheim Cup
It was great to be part of the most successful Olympic Games for an Irish team ever. I mean, incredible to see so many athletes do so well. I think that they really had the whole country buzzing for quite a few weeks there, both in the Olympics and the Paralympics.
“It wasn’t to be for me in Paris. It wasn’t from a lack of effort, but that’s golf. That’s sports. It can’t always go your way.”
“Paris Golf National was a very tough test of golf and I didn’t have my A game, didn’t really have my B game even that week. And yeah, I mean, it was nice to finish with a good round on the last day, but at the same time yeah, disappointing week. And would have liked to have played better.”
“The Irish support in Paris, I know for all the athletes, but particularly for us on the golf course was phenomenal. There were so many Irish people there, it is probably one of the biggest crowds I’ve ever seen. So many jerseys, so many tricolors, so much support, it would have been nicer to give them something more to cheer about, but at the same time, even, even when I wasn’t playing my best golf, there was still droves of people out to support and cheer and encourage which was quite humbling to see.”
“There’s a lot of young kids inspired to hopefully one day maybe, being an Olympian or even just take up a sport.”
“I’d say there’s a lot more kids this Christmas writing to Santa for jerseys or different sports equipment than might’ve been the case in previous years.”
“Sunday singles at the Solheim was nice to finish off on a strong point there. I know we it wasn’t the result Europe we’re looking for. It was a tough task on our hands on American soil, but arguably one of the strongest American teams they’ve had in a long time and going for a four in a row, we knew it wasn’t going to be an easy task.
And it’s never been done before for a reason. But at the same time, it was an exciting Sunday and it would have been some hell of a comeback if we’d have pulled it off. But I suppose it makes the wait for the Netherlands in two years time that bit more dramatic and builds up a bit more anticipation and really wants you to be part of the next one again.
On getting a break this year
“I played nearly up until Christmas last year so it wasn’t much of a break. We had about two weeks off and then we restarted. So it, it kind of felt like we just kept going last year. I barely even took a break. And then probably as it, this year felt very long, it almost felt like it was two years rolled into one that we never stopped.”
“So it’s actually quite nice this year to have a little bit of a longer break with more kind of six weeks. I can fine tune a few things and take a bit of a break and rest and recover and just reset to be ready to go again when January rolls around.
“I always like to get off to a good start. I feel like it sets you up really well for the rest of the year and you have a little bit more flexibility to pick and choose your schedule a little bit more when you do well early in the year and secure those ranking points.
You don’t feel as much under pressure to squeeze things in at the end of the summer the Fall season. So yeah, the ideal scenario is to do well early in the year and keep that momentum going. But as I said, it’s a long year, so that’s not always doable. But yeah, you kind of have to be, be ready to go once the season rolls around.”
“Obviously starting the year in Florida again at my home course in Orlando is good so I’ll look forward to that.”
Tackling the Majors afresh
“I think the standard in the LPGA is obviously getting higher and higher every year, but at the same time, I know when I play my best golf, I can contend with any player in the world. So at the majors, it’s obviously the the strongest test, the toughest golf courses where the fairways are narrower, the roughs longer, the greens firmer.”
“So it does really test all aspects of your game. And I didn’t quite drive the ball as well as I needed to this year.”
The KPMG Women’s Irish Open
“It’s a fantastic event. It’s so nice to see it back on the schedule and I think it’s really important for the next generation to come through and whether they play as an amateur or one of the first events as a pro, it’s great for them to be able to play in that and get a taste of the tour.
“I benefited from it a lot when I was sort 14, 15 and dipping my toe into the water and getting to see some of the best players in the world at the time come over for the Irish Open at Killeen Castle.”
“So I think it’s really important that it’s back in the schedule and to have a sponsor like KPMG behind it as well means a lot and adds a bit of gravity to the event.”
“And you need a big purse to get some big players and they are growing a little bit year on year and hopefully we can continue in that direction. Carton House is a world class venue as well which all helps.
“I know all the girls that have played it in the last three years have all been very impressed. It has sort of almost like a major feel to it because They’re not typically used to that standard of golf course or those crowds for a typical LET event. So I suppose it’s an extra source of pride for us when, when I hear the girls on tour talking about the Irish Open and how much they enjoy it and look forward to it.”
“And for me, I get incredible support. I mean, the crowds are always fantastic and so many young kids out as well. And I think it’s nice. It’s back sort of in the summer holidays as well, where the schools are off and they can come out and watch and support or hang out in in the tented village, try a bit of golf or whatever, and hopefully maybe inspire, encourage them to take up the game and you never know who we might see in the Irish Opens in the next few years.”
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
Leona was in great form and you can only imagine that she will bounce into 2025 as a real force on the LPGA Tour. Many players go a whole career without a tournament win in the pro ranks, she has two already and more to come. Being an ambassador for KPMG gives heft to the power of the research launched this week about the importance of sport for women and girls which you can read about in full here. KPMG Ambassadors Inspiring Future Generations
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
The KPMG Women’s Irish Open will take place at Carton House over the first weekend of July. Tickets are on sale now for what is always a great event.
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