Leona Maguire Had Never Missed A Solheim Cup Session... Now She's Missed Three
The Irish star has played a pivotal part in Europe's past Solheim Cup success but, at the 2024 event, she has featured just once in four sessions...
If you look back at the history books, you will notice that Leona Maguire has played all five sessions in both the 2021 Solheim Cup and 2023 Solheim Cup, with the 29-year-old securing 7.5 points in 10 matches.
There's no denying that she has been a key part of Europe's success in those two tournaments but, at the 2024 event in Virginia, Maguire has been missing, as she featured in just the Friday afternoon four balls session.
Missing from Saturday's foursomes and four balls, it has now been revealed by European captain, Suzann Pettersen, that "it's always hard to sit great, great players, but where we sit we have to play the ones that are really playing well this week."
Speaking to the Golf Channel, Pettersen added: "I mean, Leona, she's going to be 100 percent tomorrow and she's all about the team, so I mean, she's a great teammate. She understands and she's allowed to be disappointed. At the same time, she has to believe in what the team is doing, and she'll be going out here showing her face."
A two-time winner on the LPGA Tour, Maguire's best finish in 2024 came at the T-Mobile Match Play Las Vegas, where the Irishwoman lost in the final 4&3 to Nelly Korda, who was also left out of the afternoon four balls on Saturday.
Regarding her Solheim Cup career, Maguire burst on to the scene in her debut appearance in 2021 at Inverness Club. She secured four wins and one tie to set the all-time rookie points record. What's more, at Finca Cortesin, she claimed another three victories and two losses.
However, at the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club, US captain, Stacy Lewis, has decided to not have one of her players participate in all four team sessions, whilst European captain, Pettersen, has opted for Emily Pedersen and Charley Hull in all four team sessions. Last year, she sent Maguire, Pedersen and Linn Grant out for all five sessions in Spain.
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Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
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