Leona Maguire, the European Solheim Cup participant, is following a new strategy of not being too critical of herself. This approach was clearly demonstrated when she delivered an impressive first round of 67, five-under-par, at the Kroger Queen City Championship near Cincinnati on the LPGA Tour. She ended two strokes behind the clubhouse leader, South Africa’s Ashleigh Buhai.
Having had a solid individual performance during Europe’s defeat to the USA in the previous Solheim Cup, Maguire was unsatisfied with her play time. Now, after being mostly based in Europe for the past two months, the golfer from Cavan has made a fantastic comeback to the US. Her commendable first round in the championship included an eagle, four birdies, and a bogey, equalling the score of top-ranked player Nelly Korda.
“A chunk of the enjoyment has been missing from my golf this summer,” Maguire admitted. However, she found last week’s team experience uplifting and plans to incorporate more such enjoyment into the end of her season. She’s focusing on being nicer to herself and taking more pleasure in her golf.
With the aim of leveraging the momentum from last week and recalling her fatigue after playing five matches in the last two Solheim Cups, she said, “It’s great to feel a bit more energised this time.”