Leona Maguire burned it up on a rainy day in Baltusrol as she stormed her way to the half-way lead at the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship.
The Cavan golfer has never won a major tournament before and insisted on Friday night that she’s still not thinking about winning the thing, but she’s certainly left herself in a good position.
Having won the Meijer LPGA Classic last week – it was just her second PGA win – the 28-year-old came into this week full of confidence and her rich vein of form has continued.
The New Jersey rainfall was no problem for Maguire, who dealt best with the tough conditions to take a one shot lead into the weekend. Speaking after her round, unsurprisingly, Maguire said that playing in the rain comes as second nature to her.
“I’ve grown up in it,” she said.
“Most of the time at home if you wait for a dry day you’re not going to play golf very often.
“It doesn’t bother me.
“I know half the battle is having a good attitude and accepting it’s going to be the same for everybody and you’re going to hit good shots that are maybe not going to come off and things like that. Maybe just a little bit more patience than usual on days like this,” she told reporters.
Maguire, who has never led in a major championship before, said that this is ‘uncharted territory’ for her, and that’s why she’ll be taking the next two days shot by shot.
“This is uncharted territory for me. Whatever happens this week, I’m sure I’ll learn a lot, and just sort of taking it one day at a time.
“I think this golf course demands that. I think you can’t think more than one shot ahead, let alone a hole or a round ahead. Just really taking it shot by shot and trying to hit as good a shots as I can.”
Inevitably, Maguire’s red-hot recent form has led to some English confusion. Former English professional golfer Trish Johnson says it’s great to have ‘two Brits’ at the top of the leaderboard, referencing Mel Reid, who is one shot behind Leona and -4.
@nathanmurf @gregallenRTE @gcooney93 @SportsJOEdotie the Brits are claiming her lads……..🤦 pic.twitter.com/OeUpNgE5CZ
— Mac an tSabhasaigh (@savo01) June 23, 2023
Related links:
- Leona Maguire sets sights on majors after securing second LPGA win
- Professional golf takes the money and runs as PGA Tour and LIV Golf merge
- Shane Lowry interrupts Kiwi journalist after himself and McIlroy asked about Ireland’s chances at Rugby World Cup
- Full Swing: Best quotes, weirdest moments and wildest finishes from new Netflix documentary
WATCH: Liverpool BOTTLED the title race 🤬 | Who will win the Premier League?
