Maguire fires 63 to set up head to head with Ko for $2 million payday

NAPLES, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 19: Leona Maguire of Ireland smiles during the third round of the CME Group Tour Championship at Tiburon Golf Club on November 19, 2022 in Naples, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

Leona Maguire fired a sensational nine under 63 to catch Lydia Ko at the top of the leaderboard in the CME Group Tour Championship and put herself in position to win $2 million - the biggest first prize in the history of women's professional golf.

Seven shots behind Ko overnight, the Co Cavan star put on a red-hot putting performance at Tiburon on a blustery day in Florida.

She had just 25 putts as she birdied the first and third and followed four birdies in a row from the eighth with three more birdies at the 13th, 16th and 17th.

Ko led by five shots overnight but struggled in more demanding conditions and could manage only a two-under 70 to leave them tied in 15-under, five shots clear of Jeongeun Lee6 and Scotland's Emma Dryburgh.

“I played really nice," Leona said. "The hole was looking big, and I was trying to hit it as close as I could. Hit some really nice 5 and 6 hybrids on those few holes at the wind. I was just dialed in today.

“My caddie has been talking last two weeks all about patience and patience and they're going to drop. Finally they did today, which was nice."

With bad weather forecast for Sunday, Maguire is licking her lips as she chases what would be the second biggest cheque ever won by an Irish golfer following Rory McIlroy's $2.25m Players Championship win in 2019.

“Yeah, I mean, we'll have to wait and see how bad it gets," she said. "But maybe a little rain and wind. Nothing that I am not used it from at home in Ireland.

“It was nice to get the really low round under by belt today and I'll just try and go out and do more of the same tomorrow."

With Ko chasing her second Rolex Player of The Year title and other players chasing other awards, Maguire has been able to fly under the radar all week.

She’s no longer under the radar but that won’t change her strategy.

“I mean, just do what I do today," she said of her game plan. "Just try and hit really good shots and hopefully hole a few putts.

“We'll see where Lydia gets to at the end of the day, but ultimately just go out and play as well as I possibly can. And especially if there's bad weather. That's all you can control. So looking forward to one last walk in the season tomorrow."

Maguire was asked about the possibility of winning $2 m after her second round and admitted she'd have to buy twin sister Lisa a big birthday present when they turn 28 on November 30.

"$2 million is more money than I've ever seen in my life," Maguire said. "I probably would take care of my family. They've given me a lot over the years, so it would be nice to give back. I suppose it's a nice timing coming up to Christmas.

“It is mine and my twin sister's birthday on November 30th, so I guess I would have to get her a pretty nice birthday present."

Asked what she'd buy, she joked of Lisa: "I'm sure she would have some ideas."

She knows it could be a straight head to head with Ko but she’ll draw on her Solheim Cup experience and her maiden win in February as she takes on one of the all time greats

“When I won earlier in the year, I think me and Marina were quite a few shots ahead,” she said. “I actually fell behind I think early on that day, so I feel like I'm just going to go out and play as well as I possibly can.

“Lydia is an incredible golfer. I have a huge amount of respect for her, and hopefully it's a great battle tomorrow. It will be nice to be the one standing there with the trophy tomorrow. If not, it's been a fantastic season. I just like to finish it off in style.”

As for the pressure of trying to win $2 she said: “I mean, any time you're in contention, you want to win. We're all competitive. I'm as competitive as they get.

“You want to do your very best, so given that it's the last event of the year, we're not going to have another one for a couple of months, you want to finish it off as well as you possibly can.

“Obviously, the $2 million, it's a lot of money. We're very lucky to be playing for that kind of money. So, yeah, try to make the most of the opportunity tomorrow.“