Irish Golf Desk

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Leona Maguire's team leads Aramco Team Series-New York

Manon De Roey. Photo: Mark Runnacles/LET.

Team Maguire holds a one-shot lead in the team competition and Manon De Roey leads by two in the individual competition after the first day of the Aramco Team Series -- New York.

On a tough and testing day, Leona Maguire, Liz Young, Tvesa Malik and amateur Golden Tate joined forces to reach a total of 11-under-par at Trump Golf Links at Ferry Point.

The quartet made the turn in five-under having dropped just one shot on their front nine and came home in six-under to be at the top of the leaderboard on day one.

"We all got along really well and had a nice time out there," said Solheim Cup star Maguire, who came home in two-under par for a 74 that leaves her tied 22nd in the individual event on two-over, six shots behind De Roey.

"We didn't realise how long we'd been out there until we walked off the 18th green which is always a good sign. We dovetailed nicely and it's always nice to be in the lead.

"It was a little nicer on the back nine, it's a good test out there. It was playing long on a lot of holes with a lot of with woods and hybrids, so hopefully it will be a little kinder tomorrow.

"It worked pretty well today, so more of the same for tomorrow. A good night's sleep tonight and we'll be ready to go."

Young, who won her maiden LET title at the VP Bank Swiss Ladies Open last month, added: "I'm still on a high from my win, so let's just keep going and I hope more putts drop tomorrow."

Malik explained: "It's really fun, it's nice to have a team and be part of something that's bigger. The time just flies by, and it keeps you playing for something more than just your own score."

Amateur Tate, who is a former Super Bowl winner with the Seattle Seahawks, spoke about what he learned from playing with Team Maguire.

"I learned that they have a very unique way to stay composed throughout the weather and whatever the conditions are," he said.

"It was incredible, they just always stayed calm, and their swings are so smooth and so in rhythm.

"I enjoyed just tagging along and watching them. They're elite athletes and they're doing some amazing things and I got to tag along and we're sitting in the mix."

Team Peláez Trivino made up of Spain's Ana Peláez Trivino alongside South Africa's Nicole Garcia, France's Emma Grechi and amateur Michael Singer sit in second place on 10-under-par with Team Nelly Korda, comprising the world number four, Finland's Noora Komulainen, France's Celine Herbin and amateur James Rawson are third on eight-under-par.

USA's Nelly Korda and Sweden's Madelene Sagström sit in second place behind De Roey on two-under-par after rounds of 70.

The second round begins on Friday at 8.45am(local time) and it will see the conclusion of the Team event