Leona Maguire wins second GolfStat Cup with lowest stroke average since 2002

Leona Maguire. Picture: Duke/Tim Cowie

Leona Maguire captured the GolfStat Cup for the second time in three years for the lowest average versus par on the US collegiate circuit this season.
 
The Duke and Slieve Russell star had an NCAA-best of 70.29 for the 20-event minimum — the lowest in the NCAA since Lorena Ochoa averaged 70.13 in 2002. 
 
During the 2016-17 season, Maguire collected eight top-five finishes, three wins, nine rounds in the 60s and 21 rounds of level par or better.

Her 70.29 stroke average broke her Duke single-season record and was a new ACC record.  She finished no worse than tied sixth over the course of the season. 
 
Maguire won the ACC Individual Championship while helping the Blue Devils claim Duke’s 20th ACC title.  

She finished runner-up at the NCAA Championship, won the LSU Tiger Golf Classic and the Northrop Grumman Regional Challenge and also finished tied sixth at the NCAA Albuquerque Regional.
 
Maguire became just the second Blue Devil to win the GolfStat Cup multiple times after Amanda Blumenherst (2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08).  

A Duke golfer has won the award eight different times since the 2003-04 campaign.  

Other Blue Devils to win the GolfStat Cup include Jenny Chuasiriporn (1997-98), Liz Janangelo (2003-04), Blumenherst, Lindy Duncan (2011-12) and now Maguire (2014-15 and 2016-17).