Leona chasing Ladies European Masters title

Leona Maguire. Picture: Ladies European Tour

World No.1 amateur Leona Maguire is at Buckinghamshire Golf Club near London this week to try and win the ISPS HANDA Ladies European Masters.

Along with India Clyburn, the 20-year-old from Cavan in Ireland will be one of only two amateur competitors vying for the title at the Ladies European Tour’s headquarters.

She said: “I’m really looking forward to it because it’s always nice to play in a professional event.

"I’ve played in a few Irish Opens and made the cut twice and I also played in a Ricoh Women’s Open. 

“I’m having a good year and just finished my first year in college at Duke University in North Carolina. I’ve got three more years to go and it’s a great experience.

"I’m just going to see what happens. I’ve nothing to lose this week so I’ll see how I play and how the best players match up against me.”

Maguire started to play golf aged nine along with her twin sister Lisa and they first played on the Ladies European Tour at the Northern Ireland Open as 12 year olds. 

Both players have played on Junior Ryder Cup, Solheim Cup and Curtis Cup teams. 

This year, Leona’s most recent achievements include being named ACC Player of the Year and Freshman of the Year in the USA and winning the 2015 Annika Award for the best golfer of the year in American college women's golf.

Leona is joined in the field by Carlow's Rebecca Codd, who tied for 28th in the recent Deloitte Ladies Open in Amsterdam.