Leona Maguire misses US Women's Open qualifying playoff by one
Leona Maguire driving at the 15th tee during the Flogas sponsored Irish Scratch Series at Seapoint Golf Club today (29/06/2020). Picture by Pat Cashman
Leona Maguire came up short in her bid to qualify for June’s US Women’s Open at the Olympic Club.
The Slieve Russell National star (26) followed a two-over 74 with a one-under 71 to finish tied 10th on one-over on the Champions Course at Morongo Golf Club in California last night.
There were five spots up for grabs but while Alison Lee and Thailand’s Pajaree Anannarukarn shared top spot on three-under, two shots ahead of another Thai, Wichanee Meechai, Maguire finished just a shot outside a six-way tie for fourth on level par.
Japan’s Ayako Uehara, Americans Sierra Sims and Brianna Do, Sweden’s Linnea Strom, Australia’s Sarah Jane Smith and Germany’s Esther Henseleit will playoff today for the last two spots in the second Major of the season at Olympic Club from June 3-6.
Maguire, who will be fully vaccinated on her return to Co Cavan this week, does not qualify for this week’s HSBC Women's World Championship in Singapore or next week’s Honda LPGA Thailand and is taking time out at home.
“I’ll go to that US Open qualifier and then go home for two and a half weeks hopefully and back out again there for a busy stretch that will hopefully include a few Majors right the way through the summer and I probably won’t be home before the Olympics,” she said last week.
At Half Moon Bay Golf Links near San Francisco, Kathleen Scavo, Kelly Tan, and Lucy Li, who became the youngest US Open qualifier at the age of 11 in 2011, claimed the three spots on offer.
Two-time US Women’s Open champion Juli Inkster (60), who lives near Olympic Club, tied for 20th on 14-over after rounds of 77 and 79.
