Leona Maguire cover image

Leona Maguire

Ireland

LPGA Tour Winner and Irish Golf Trailblazer

Location

County Cavan, Ireland

Current Status

Professional Golfer, LPGA Tour & Ladies European Tour

The Early Years

Leona Maguire, born on November 30, 1994, in County Cavan, Ireland, began focusing on golf at age nine after excelling as a junior swimmer. She has a twin sister, Lisa, who was also an elite amateur golfer. At just 12, Maguire made history as the youngest player ever to compete in a Ladies European Tour event when she appeared in the 2007 Tenerife Ladies Open. She went on to dominate the amateur ranks, holding the world No. 1 position in the World Amateur Golf Ranking for a record 135 weeks between May 2015 and February 2018.

Maguire starred at Duke University, earning multiple All-American honors, two ANNIKA Awards, and setting several program records. She represented Ireland at the 2016 Rio Olympics as an amateur before turning professional in May 2018. Her rise on the professional stage was swift: she became the first Irish woman to win on the LPGA Tour with her victory at the 2022 Drive On Championship and later the first Irish woman to win on the Ladies European Tour at the 2024 Aramco Team Series. A two-time LPGA Tour winner, Maguire delivered one of the greatest rookie performances in Solheim Cup history in 2021, earning an impressive 4.5 points for Team Europe.

The Legacy Continues: Milestones & Contributions

Leona Maguire's pioneering achievements and record-breaking amateur career have paved the way for Irish women in professional golf. Her journey from junior talent to LPGA star inspires aspiring golfers globally.

Key Achievements
  • First Irish woman to win on LPGA Tour (2022 Drive On Championship)
  • First Irish woman to win on Ladies European Tour (2024 Aramco Team Series)
  • 2x LPGA Tour Winner (2022 Drive On, 2023 Meijer LPGA Classic)
  • Record for most weeks at World Amateur Golf Ranking No. 1 (135 weeks)
  • Equalled lowest-ever round in a major (61 at 2021 Evian Championship)
  • Record-setting Solheim Cup rookie (4.5 pts)
Lasting Contributions
  • Maguire has inspired a new generation of Irish golfers and elevated the sport's profile in Ireland.
  • Her dedication and consistent performance demonstrate the importance of fundamental skills developed early in a golfer's career.

Participation in US KIDS Golf Championships

1

Total Tournaments

3.0

Average Position

3

Best Position

213.0

Average Total Strokes

EventLocationPositionDivisionDate
World ChampionshipPinehurst, North Carolina3Girls 11Jul 27, 2006