Coach Shane O’Grady has helped Leona Maguire become world amateur No 1 and the 2015 National Player of the Year in the US. But he’s also helped Waterford’s Eanna Griffin become a player who could one day challenge for top honours in the professional game.

Runner up to Dermot McElroy in this year’s West of Ireland Championship at Rosses Point and a semi-finalist in the “South” last year, Griffin was again in contention last week when he finished sixth in the North of England Open Amateur Strokeplay Championship at the Pannal Golf Club neat Harrogate, carding rounds of 65 and 73 to finish on six under par behind winner Adam Chapman.

While Griffin was contending in England, Leona was getting her 2015-16 underway with Duke University in the Annika Intercollegiate in Orlando, finishing tied ninth as the team came home fourth behind South Carolina.

Leona began the week by being presented with the 2015 ANNIKA Award by Annika Sörenstam

In her debut season at Duke, the 20-year old from Slieve Russell Golf Club won three tournaments and had eight top-5 finishes. 

The ANNIKA Award Presented by 3M, given to the top player in women’s college golf by a vote from her peers, coaches and media. 

Leona and her sister Lisa return to action this week with the Tar Heel Invitational teeing off at Chapel Hill in North Carolina on Friday.