Leona Maguire is off to a flying start at the Buick LPGA Shanghai at Qizhong Garden Golf Club, and after an opening six-under 66, she finds herself tied for fourth at the end of day one.
The Cavan star is making her third LPGA start since the disappointment of the Solheim Cup, and this is her best opening round of the season. Starting on the 10th, she began with two pars before opening her birdie account on the par-4 12th. She then reeled off three-in-a-row from 15 through 17, going three-two-four, before her first and only bogey of the day on 18.
This left her at three-under at the turn, and she quickly got moving in the right direction again with birdies on one, three and five – all par-4s – and then parred the final four to card a six-under 66.
A disappointing season has seen her slip to 39th in the Rolex World Rankings – her lowest ranking since the end of 2021 – but with six LPGA events remaining in the season, it’s a welcome return to form and three more good rounds could see her nab her third LPGA victory.
“Gave myself a lot chances, hit a lot greens, and putted really nice. The greens are a little bit unpredictable, but felt like put some really good strokes on it,” said Maguire.
“Yeah, I’ve been doing a lot of work on my putting lately so nice to see a few go in today.
“Yeah, I mean, trying to be patient the last few weeks. Felt like I played some really good golf in Cincy and Arkansas and didn’t quite put four rounds together.
“No, it’s nice to get off to a start here. My first time in Shanghai, so nice to get the sort of Asian Swing off to a good start.”
Korean Sei Young Kim leads the way after a blistering 10-under 62 that began with five straight birdies and included an eagle-three at 17 for an outward eight-under 28. Five pars and a bogey on the sixth ended all hopes of a 59, but she closed out with three consecutive birdies and enjoys a two-stroke lead over Celine Boutier.
The Frenchwoman is coming in hot after winning last week’s Aramco Team Series event in Shenzhen, and she occupies solo second with China’s Lucy Li one further adrift in third.
Maguire is part of a four-way tie for fourth, with other big names including Angel Yin and Minjee Lee one further adrift at -5.
Leave a comment