Leona Maguire returns to Dromoland Castle this week as she prepares to play on home soil at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open.
After the tournament returned to the LET schedule in 2022, following a ten-year hiatus, the 28-year-old can’t wait for the week ahead.
Last year, there were estimated to be 30,000 people in attendance across the week and the two-time LPGA Tour winner is always thankful for home support.
“It’s huge to have this event,” said the Solheim Cup winner. “The crowds were amazing last year, and I think everyone was really excited to have this tournament back on the schedule.
“I remember last year a lot of the LET girls were saying to me, it almost felt like a major the way the crowds were, so I think everybody is really excited to be here. I think that’s the general feel here this week, you can tell everybody at Dromoland is excited to have us and the players are excited to be here. It’s a win-win for everybody.
“With the dates being a smidge earlier, it’s nice that so many Irish amateurs are getting a chance to play this week. For some of them, it’s their first time playing in a professional event. I was fortunate enough to do that as an amateur when I was younger, so that’s a huge learning experience for them and that’s exactly what you want for a home open.”
Maguire, who is number 17 in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings, finished in a tie for fourth place at the 2022 edition of the tournament after rounds of 67-75-65-68.
But despite being the home favourite, the Irishwoman is trying to treat this week like any other week and not think about the expectations.
She explained: “It’s always special to come home and you try to do as well as you possibly can. It’s a busy week for me, there’s a lot of demands on my time and you’re trying to give everybody as much time as you can and still prepare.
“There’s a lot of things to juggle this week and that was a big learning experience for me last year, but at the same time, you’re so appreciative of everyone who comes out and follows. You meet people who say they’ve followed you for the past 10-15 years and you want to do as well as you possibly can for them.
“You try and treat it like any other week and play as well as you can. You want to do well every week and this week is no different.
“I’m going to try and play as well as I possibly can, it’s just an added bonus this week that you have extra people cheering for you and clapping when you hit a good shot. Hopefully, I can give them as much to cheer about as possible.”
Maguire will tee it up in the first round on Thursday at 9.06 am from the 10th tee alongside defending champion Klara Davidson Spilkova and Irish amateur Aine Donegan.
Last year saw a lot of children come and watch over the weekend and this year, under-16s go free throughout the week at Dromoland Castle.
And the Duke University graduate knows how important it is for people to be able to come and watch a golf event in their local area.
“It doesn’t seem like that long ago that I was going to Irish Opens and Solheim Cups looking for my balls signed and pictures to be taken,” she commented. “It’s still always a little bit surreal when you have little kids come out to get things signed.
“It’s one thing to watch it on TV, to actually see it in real life is very different and they’re the memories that stay with you when you see someone hit a drive off the tee or hole a big putt. Nice that so many young and old fans will get to experience that this week.”
There have been a few changes and upgrades to the course at Dromoland Castle, but Maguire believes they’ve improved the picturesque venue.
She added: “There’s a few improvements. They have done a few new tees on 11 and 12 and 16 is different as well. I think the changes are really good, it’s nice to see them investing in the course and trying to make the course and event better every year that we come back.
“You see a lot more from some of the tee shots. The course is in great shape, it’s framed really well. The bunkers are tidy, it’s a really good golf course. It’s nice when it comes together like that.”
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