Leona Maguire cut a very relaxed figure in her pre-KPMG Women’s Irish Open press conference on Tuesday at Carton House, despite feeling a little jet lagged after an up turn in form on the LPGA Tour.
Maguire had missed four successive cuts in America but back to back top-20s including an outside chance to win the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship after 54 holes has her trending in the right direction once again ahead of a hectic European swing.
Pádraig Harrington has spoken about how he found the Irish Open to be one of his most difficult weeks on tour with the burden of home expectation.
World number 84 Maguire arrives without the same fanfare of previous years and with a record of 16 Irish players in the field this week she feels the pressure on her to impress will be eased as she looks to become the first home winner of the Women’s Irish Open.
“I don’t think it’s as much the pressure and expectation it’s more that it’s a very busy week,” said Maguire who will be signing thousands of autographs throughout the week and engaging in pre-tournament clinics and Wednesday’s pro-am.
“There’s a lot going on and it’s usually on a place in the schedule where I am flying in from somewhere so there’s not maybe the same time to prepare as you normally would.
“Year on year I have tried to learn as much as I can and not overdo it Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and leave enough in the tank for the weekend. It’s just a different event. It’s nice to have the home support and you want to play as well as you can to give them something to cheer about but the Irish crowds want someone Irish to do well and I suppose with 16 Irish in the field this week, there’s a little less responsibility on my shoulders.
“I felt in the first few years in Dromoland I had a lot on my shoulders but it’s nice to have a few more helping this week.”
Maguire feels her game is in a good spot and will be focusing on keeping herself mentally fresh for a weekend charge.
“This week will be more mentally demanding than anything else. It’s about managing everything this week with everything going on outside of golf, the golf will be one of the easier things this week, famous last words! I feel like I have played some really nice golf so it’s nice that my game is in a nice spot that I don’t have to search for something on the range, just fine tuning but I’m ready to go.
“There’s just a lot more to do this week. The days are going to be long. I can’t just show up, play my golf, warm up, go home. I have a lot more to do outside of golf. The actual golf will feel like a rest inside the ropes but that’s part and parcel of this event I am happy to do it.”
Aside from Irish interest there is a bumper field set to tee it up on the O’Meara Course with Charley Hull, Georgia Hall, Madelene Sagstrom and European Solheim Cup captain Anna Nordqvist all competing.
Maguire feels the change of date of the event to a July slot before The Evian Championship has enticed some big name players to come along while there is also an appetite to experience the large crowds expected to flock through the gates.
“The kids are on summer holidays I know Anna Nordqvist spoke about it a lot that she wanted to come and experience the crowds. They are reminiscent to major crowds being five deep. I know the girls appreciate it, it feels important and feels big,” said Maguire.
“The Irish fans are very knowledgeable, they’ll clap for a good shot, yes they are a bit biased but at the same time they will appreciate good golf. It’s a busy summer of golf in Ireland with the Open and Irish Open so it’s nice that we get to kick off a special summer of golf in Ireland.
“It’s always nice as a player to have people wanting you to do well. Especially on week four of a five week stretch it’s nice to have that boost in the energy levels with people willing you on. It’s just a case of not trying to force things too much and doing things you wouldn’t normally do while playing as well as you possibly can. I don’t know if I’ve quite figured that out yet but hopefully this is the week.”
Maguire has been playing the role of Mrs Claus over the last few years, often sending gifts to children who may have missed their chance to get her autograph or photo at the Women’s Irish Open over the years.
Christmas presents, letters, hats and t-shirts have come through fans’ door but what they would really love is for Maguire to deliver a home win this weekend.
“I got emails from parents saying their child didn’t get an autograph so I sent stuff in the post, Christmas presents, letters, hats, t-shirts going around to people,” she explained when discussing the impact of the fans at the tournament. “Someone will miss out somewhere but I remember when I was a kid going to Baltray at the Irish Open, standing back at the 9th green collecting balls before me and Lisa knew what a pro-v1 was!
“It’s a small part of my day to give back to the kids who make the effort to come out and support us. It’s still a bit surreal for me thinking why do they want my autograph and picture.”
For tickets, full schedule, and player updates CLICK HERE
Leave a comment