Soggy LET debut for Leona Maguire
Leona Maguire. Credit ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Leona Maguire played just five holes before heavy rain forced play to be suspended for the day as she made his professional debut on the Ladies European Tour in the Andalucía Costa del Sol Open de España.
Playing alongside Women’s British Open champion Georgia Hall and defending champion Azahara Muñoz at La Quinta Golf & Country Club in Marbella, the Slieve Russell star (23) was tied for ninth on one-under-par when rain stopped play due to waterlogging.
After starting with four pars, Maguire almost holed her 75-yard approach for an eagle three at the fifth but tapped in for birdie to move into the red.
"I had a 12 footer for birdie on the sixth green when play was suspended but there was a stream running down the green!" she reported.
"It was lashing rain, the course is soaked and it hasn't really got a break all week.
"The forecast is better for tomorrow so hopefully will get plenty of holes in. But will be a race against darkness."
Just half the 96-strong field managed to finish their opening rounds before play was suspended with Scotland’s Michele Thomson and the Netherlands' Anne Van Dam firing three-under 68s to lead in the clubhouse alongside England’s Liz Young, who was three-under after nine holes.
European number one Hall and the defending champion Muñoz were both on two-under-par after five holes.
After failing to earn her LPGA Tour card in the US, Maguire has a full card for the second tier Symetra Tour next season.
She hopes to get some LPGA Tour invitations but has entered the Ladies European Tour (LET) Qualifying School in Morocco next month hoping she can earning her LET card, giving her more playing opportunities next season.
Final Qualifying takes place at Amelkis Golf Club in Marrakech from December 16-20 but Maguire and her twin sister Lisa must first come through a Pre-Qualifying event in Morocco from December 7-10.
