Leona Maguire on top of the world — first Irishwoman to reach world No 1; Moynihan back in Top 50
Leona Maguire can't go any higher - World Amateur No 1 and US college ranked No 1 to boot. Picture: Pat Cashman
Slieve Russell's Leona Maguire has been confirmed as the first Irishwoman to rise to No 1 in the women's World Amateur Golf Ranking.
It was always likely that the 20-year old Duke University freshman, who is also No 1 in the US collegiate rankings, would take over from American teenager Andrea Lee following her third win of the season in the NCAA South Bend Regional last weekend.
And so it proved with the Cavan star now 27.46 world ranking points ahead of the American and looking forward to teeing it up for Duke the NCAA finals at the Concession in Florida in just over a week's time. [See rankings]
Asked about the possiblity of going to No 1 in the world following her move to No 2 last month, Leona said: “I don’t keep up with the World Rankings that much, but I had a look. It’s nice to know that what you are doing is making a difference and you are getting the rewards for it.
“It would be great to get to No 1 and know that all the work I have put in over the years is paying off. To be the best there is in the amateur game would obviously be great, but I think it would be more a confidence booster than anything else.”
In the men's ranking, Ireland now has six players in the world's Top 100 with Cormac Sharvin leading the way, up five spots to 36th follow his second runner-up finish in as many weeks in the Irish Amateur Open at Royal Dublin on Sunday.
Irish Amateur Open winner Gavin Moynihan is up 21 spots to 44th in the world. Picture: Pat Cashman
The Island's Gavin Moynihan won the title to move up 21 spots to 44th behind 41st ranked Gary Hurley with Jack Hume 61st, Paul Dunne 71st and Chris Selfridge 90th.
University of Toledo based Selfridge has been handed an exemption by the NCAA to tee it up in one of the six, 54-hole NCAA Regionals this weekend.
Qualified colleges and exempt individuals
The Moyola Park player, who will turn professional in June, goes at The Sagamore Club in Noblesville, Indiana.
Dunne's UAB goes at Gold Mountain Golf Club in Bremerton, Washington with Paul McBride's Wake Forest set for the University of North Carolina Finley Golf Course.
