LEONA MAGUIRE HAS earned her first LPGA victory after a stunning performance at the Drive On Championship in Florida.
The Cavan native, who had a share of the lead heading into the final round, continued her impressive form with a brilliant 67 on the final day to secure the title on 18-under for the tournament.
The 27-year-old former amateur world number one sank seven birdies against two bogeys on the final day.
American Lexi Thompson fired a final-round 65 to grab second on 201, one stroke ahead of compatriot Sarah Schmelzel, who shot 64.
Marina Alex and Maguire both birdied the par-4 second hole. Maguire took a bogey at the par-3 third but Alex fell back as well with a bogey at the sixth.
Maguire birdied the par-3 seventh to seize the lead and both women birdied the eighth and parred the ninth to make the turn with the Irish standout ahead by one.
Maguire began the back nine with back-to-back birdie to lead by three over Alex and Thompson, who charged into contention with birdies at the par-5 fifth and par-4 sixth holes and a birdie-eagle-birdie run at the ninth through 11th holes.
Thompson and Alex birdied the par-4 13th, but Maguire did the same to restore her three-stroke edge and bogeys by Alex at 15 and Thompson at 16 plus a birdie for Maguire at 16 allowed the Irish standout to cruise down the stretch, able to finish with a bogey at 18 and still win comfortably.
This is a significant milestone in Maguire’s career after earning two runner-up finishes last year.
She also becomes the first Irish woman to win on the LPGA Tour.
Seventh birdie of the day. In case you lost count. 😳 @leona_maguire leads by five with two holes left.
— LPGA (@LPGA) February 5, 2022
Watch on @SkySportsGolf if you're in Ireland and @peacockTV if you're in the U.S. ➡️ https://t.co/xpA7yXqGZT pic.twitter.com/a31ax93eSR
“It’s a bit surreal,” a delighted Maguire said after her victory. “This is 17 years in the making and you kind of wonder if it’s ever going to happen.
“I’m just really proud how I played all week, especially today. I’ve a lot of people to thank, it’s been a long road.
“It’s huge for Irish golf. There’s never been an Irish player on the tour, let alone a winner. Hopefully there’s a lot of people watching at home tonight with big smiles on their faces, and little girls watching.”
Additional reporting from – © AFP 2022
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