Maguire signs with The K Club as big summer looms

Leona Maguire has joined Seamus Power as The K Club’s new touring professional

THE K CLUB'S new touring professional Leona Maguire is hoping a change of putter does the trick as she bids to roar back to form with the US Women's Open just six weeks away.

After finishing 42nd, 39th and 48th in her last three starts, the world number 19 is hoping a change of putter will do the trick in this week's DIO Implant LA Open at Wilshire Country Club as she plays the first of three events in a row before skipping the Bank of Hope LPGA Match-Play to get ready for the second Major of the season at Southern Pines in North Carolina.

"I'm just fine-tuning things, working on my wedges, dialling in my irons a little bit better," said Maguire, who joins Séamus Power as The K Club's touring pro. "They've gone a little bit off in the last couple of weeks. 

"I've a new putter in the bag this week for the poa annua greens. The same putter but a different setup to hopefully deal with the bumpiness. Hopefully, there won't be too much of an adjustment."

Maguire was 48-under for her first four starts of the season, including her breakthrough win in the LPGA Drive On Championship, but she's just seven-under for her last three, and she's looking to bounce back as a massive summer approaches.

As for her new partnership with The K Club, it's been 16 years since the Ballyconnell battler and her twin sister Lisa took part in the closing ceremony at the 2006 Ryder Cup and she's delighted to sport the resort's logo on her bag.

"That was one of the best weeks of my life that Lisa and me had," she said. "They are memories we are not going to ever forget... getting to watch and then the closing ceremony and getting pictures with Harrington and McGinley and Tiger and Phil. We still had pictures on our walls for around 10 years after that. 

"The K Club is an iconic venue, known all over the world and the greens are some of the best in Ireland. There are two courses there which are always in great shape. Great practice facilities, fantastic hotel. 

"I'm very lucky to be a part of that partnership and the new owners are doing a lot and have some great ideas about the women's game, so it is nice to support both the men's side in Séamus and the women's side in me."

Gunning to get back to form over the next few weeks and contend again, she added: "I had a few too many silly mistakes the last few weeks, so I'm hoping for a bit more of a consistent clinical performance like what I had at the start of the year.”