The Irish golfer who rewrote the record books for amateur and professional golf
In short: From a nine-year-old who abandoned swimming for the greens to a world-class professional, Leona Maguire’s ascent is unparalleled. She didn't just break records; she shattered them, holding the longest streak at the top of the amateur rankings and becoming a pioneer for Irish women on the global stage.
Leona Maguire’s journey is defined by a historic dominance in the amateur ranks. Before turning professional in June 2018, the County Cavan native established a legendary tenure at the summit of the World Amateur Golf Ranking. On 31 January 2013, she surpassed Lydia Ko's record, eventually reaching a staggering 131 weeks at number one. Her collegiate career at Duke University was equally decorated, where she secured the 2015 Annika Award and became the first person to win the honor twice.
Her transition to the professional circuit brought unprecedented milestones for Irish golf. In February 2022, she became the first golfer from Ireland to secure an LPGA Tour victory at the Drive On Championship in Florida, defeating Lexi Thompson by three strokes. She has established herself as a regular contender in major championships, highlighted by her 61 during the 2021 Evian Championship's final round—a feat matching the lowest closing round recorded across 756 major grand slam tournaments to date.
Beyond individual trophies, Maguire has been a trailblazer for her nation. She was the first Irish woman to win on both the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour, the latter occurring in July 2024 at the Aramco Team Series. Her statistical record is remarkable; maintaining a 70.97 college scoring average, she holds the NCAA's highest mark for any female golfer completing 100 rounds or more. As of the 2025 season, her career earnings on the LPGA Tour have surpassed $5 million.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Leona Maguire
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