Ko wins Evian but Leona Maguire shows major talent
Leona of competes at the LPGA's Evian Championship 2015 at Evian Resort Golf Club, in Evian-Les-Bains, France, on September 11, 2015. Photo Philippe Millereau / KMSP / DPPI
Lydia Ko was the star of the show but Slieve Russell’s Leona Maguire showed she’s a major talent in waiting when she finsihed tied 34th in the Evian Championship in France
The 20-year old world amateur No 1 closed with a 68 to fibnish alongide the likes of Ai Moyazato and Suzann Pettersen on two over 286. Scores
Her three under par closing round was bettered by only five players and not only she was the leading amateur, three strokes better than US Women’s Amateur champion Hannah O’Sullivan, only three European players finished ahead of her.
Maguire, who is in position to represent Ireland with Stephanie Meadow in next year’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, was set to return to college at Duke University today ahead of next week’s season-opening ANNIKA event.
She returns to the US in confident mood after making 17 birdies over four days and leading the greens in regulation category in round three.
Despite getting few breaks, four days on a major championship course shout prove invaluable.
As for Ko, she shot a final-round, eight-under 63 helped her become the youngest major champion in LPGA history.
At 18 years, 4 months and 20 days, she broke Morgan Pressel’s previous record of 18 years 10 months and nine days with a four-day total of 16-under par 268.
She had one bogey in her final 36 holes and recorded the lowest final round by a winner at a major, previously held by Karen Stupples (64) at the 2004 Women’s British Open. Lexi Thompson finished runner-up and six shots back at 10-under par
