Leona Maguire admits that parting company with her caddie Dermot Byrne in July would have been an unexpected decision this time last year but it was something she had to do.
Maguire split with Byrne just two weeks after becoming the first Irishwoman to win on the Ladies European Tour at the Aramco Series in London, marking an end of an historic period in Irish women’s golf for the pair.
“People that are involved know the reason behind it and Dermot isn’t here to talk for himself so it would be unfair for me to go into the details of it,” Maguire explained.
“I will say this time last year it would have been a very unexpected decision but for those familiar with the situation it wasn’t unexpected. We enjoyed a few great years together and I was obviously very grateful for all of his help and guidance.”
Maguire and Bray native Byrne linked up in the middle of the 2021 season and she went on a historic run on the LPGA Tour, becoming the first and only Irish female golfer to win in America when she picked up the Drive On Championship in 2022.
Maguire secured her second LPGA Tour victory at the Meijer Classic in 2023 and went on to break into the top-10 of the Rolex World Rankings.
Alongside Byrne, she became a key player for Europe in their Solheim Cup successes, producing a record rookie performance with 4.5 points from 5 at the 2021 edition in Ohio as the continent won on US soil for just the second time before helping Europe to three wins in a row in Finca Cortesin last September.
However, a missed cut at the Evian Championship, making it three missed major cuts in four, was the catalyst for change.
“Certain situations arose that made it not possible to continue working together and I wish him (Dermot) all the best,” Maguire added.
“He has had a very successful career as a caddie and I’m sure he has many great rounds ahead of him. The timing wasn’t ideal but it was necessary heading into a very busy part of the season and an important part of the season.
“It wasn’t something that I wanted to do but kind of had to do.”
The Cavan star hired veteran Irish caddie Verners Tess, the caddie captain at the 2019 Solheim Cup but results did not really improve. A share of 15th place at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open was her best showing while there were disappointing performances at the Olympics and Solheim Cup.
The 30-year-old managed to cling on to her place at the season-ending CME Group Tour Championship on the LPGA Tour after ending the season with just one top-10 when she was beaten by Nelly Korda in the Matchplay final.
She has also fallen from 23rd to 51st in the Rolex World Rankings.
“When there is a change like that there are growing pains and when you are used to doing things and set routines it takes time to adapt to change.
“Ultimately that’s one of the takeaways from this year I am surrounded by very great people that are very invested and want what’s best for me and are very invested in my future going forward.”
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