FORT MYERS, FL Feb 6 (US): Leona Maguire became the first Irish winner in LPGA Tour history on Saturday, wrapping up her 5-under 67 victory with a three-stroke win at the LPGA Drive On Championships at the Crown Colony.
“It’s a huge game of Irish golf,” said Maguire. “There has never been an Irish player on the Tour, let alone a winner. I hope there are a lot of people watching at home tonight with big smiles on their faces and little girls watching knowing they can do it too.”
Tied with Marina Alex for the second-round lead after 65 on Friday, Maguire had seven birds and two bogeys – last in 5-par-5 with the score set. The 27-year-old former Duke star finished at 18 under 198, according to the Associated Press.
“It’s a bit surreal,” Maguire said. It’s been 17 years, and you’re kind of wondering if that ever will happen. Just really proud of the way you played all week, especially today. Dermot (Byrne) was amazing on the bag. …perhaps comfort now more than anything else.”
Lexi Thompson came second after 65.
“I played with Leona the first two days and she did it amazingly,” said Thompson. “I knew I had to make a birdie to come closer. … She obviously played great again today and definitely deservedly so. I think it will help her a lot. She is an amazing talent.”
Maguire had an early bird and ghostbird, then five birds ran in seven holes from the seventh through the thirteenth. It’s also a par-4 16th bird. Her closing ghost left her 1 for the day on the four holes Bar 5.
“I knew my game was close,” Maguire said. “She put in a lot of hard work in the off-season.”
Sarah Schmelzel had a 64 to finish third in 14th under, and Alex (72) was another hit with Stacey Lewis (68), Patti Tavatanakit (67), Chiu Lin (63) and Brittany Altomari (68).
“Leona had a wonderful day.” Alex said. “It was really cool watching her play. I really got into a groove in there kind of like the middle of the front and in those back nines I made a ton of sparrows. So I had pressure to try to keep up. It didn’t really work out, but it’s okay.”