Lisa Maguire makes a mockery of Vagliano snub with historic European Individual triumph

Happy families. The Maguires celebrate Lisa’s famous victory in Holland. Picture courtesy of Leo Vogelzang.She might have been handed No 13 at registration but the tag on Lisa Maguire’s bag was no bad omen as she became the first Irish player to win the prestigious European Ladies Individual Amateur Championship at wind-lashed Noordwijk in the Netherlands.

The 16-year old Slieve Russell player, controversially left out of the Great Britain and Ireland side for last month’s Vagliano Trophy, closed with a 79 in blustery conditions to win by four shots from Royal Portrush’s Stephanie Meadow on five over par with twin sister Leona claiming fourth spot. (Click here for scores)

It was another historic day for Irish golf following major championship victories for Rory McIlroy and Darren Clarke already this season as Lisa added the European title to her triumph in the Spanish International Ladies Amateur Championship in May.

Lisa Maguire hits a driver off the fairway at the last en route to her historic victory. Picture courtesy of Leo VogelzangMeadow closed with round of 73 to jump from seventh to solo second as Denmark’s Charlotte Kring Lorentzen prevented Irish players from dominating the podium as she finished two shots ahead of Leona Maguire on 10 over.

Danielle McVeigh secured a top 20 finish, a result that would have been hailed as a great success just a few years ago, when she closed with a 78.

But the day belonged to Lisa who battled winds gusting up to 45 mph to become the first Irish winner in the 25-year history of the championship with a record total of 293.

“The European Championship was one of my main goals for 2011,” Lisa said. “It was not easy, but I knew if I kept the ball in play and made pars I would have a great chance to win and it worked out.”