In the T-Mobile Matchplay Championship conducted at Shadow Creek, Las Vegas, golfer Leona Maguire emerged victorious during the 54-hole strokeplay qualifer. The Cavan golfer, armed with the momentum from her victory, is set to face Moriya Jutanugarn of Thailand in the quarter-finals scheduled this Saturday. Maguire’s third-round 69 left her on total six-under-par 210, three strokes ahead of competitors, Rose Zhang, Angel Yin, and Minami Katsu. All scores from the strokeplay, however, are discarded as competitors transition to the matchplay stage of the novel LPGA Tour tournament.
Riding high from topping the qualifiers, Maguire reflected on the mental triumph achieved under harsh and windy conditions that tested her shot execution. She noted the difficulty of the swirling winds and the demand for total concentration in ever shot. Maguire admitted to not keeping track of the leaderboards, entrusting that task to Dermot Byrne, while she concentrated in giving the best shots she could.
With fond memories of finishing third in last year’s event, Maguire is savoring her time in Nevada’s desert. She remarked on her love for the golf course, considering it a top-class golfing arena, worthy of major championships. Praising the course for being rewarding to good shots and punishing bad ones, she cherished the challenge it provides. Eagerly, she’s awaiting her match against Jutanugarn.
Meanwhile, the other quarter-finals will see matchups between Zhang and Sei Young Kim, Katsu and Naran An, and a face-off between Nelly Korda and Yin.