At the T-Mobile Match Play, Leona Maguire showcased her exceptional golfing skills, narrowly missing out on the top spot to Nelly Korda. Maguire entered the match play rounds as the leading contender, having topped the stroke-play competition with remarkable proficiency. Throughout the tournament, she demonstrated why she was the No. 1 seed, defeating notable opponents such as Moriya Jutanugarn and Sei Young Kim to secure her place in the championship match.
Early Lead by Korda
The final match between Maguire and Korda was a gripping encounter from the outset. Korda, displaying her world-class talent, quickly took control by winning four of the initial seven holes. This early advantage set the tone for the match, putting Maguire in a challenging position to catch up. Despite Maguire's impressive effort to win back two holes, the match concluded with Korda winning 4 and 3, showcasing her dominance on the field.
Separate Achievements
For Maguire, the tournament presented two distinct challenges—the stroke-play and the match-play events. Reflecting on her performance, Maguire expressed mixed feelings. While the result of the final match was undeniably disappointing for her, the triumph in stroke-play left her with a sense of pride and accomplishment. Leading the stroke-play by a clear margin was a testament to her skill, resilience, and determination, underscoring her standing as one of the top golfers on the circuit.
A Season of Success
This runner-up finish marks Maguire's first top-five placement on the LPGA Tour since the previous June, highlighting a return to form for the talented golfer. With additional top-15 finishes this season, Maguire has consistently demonstrated her competitive edge and ability to contend with the best in the sport. Looking ahead, she is eagerly preparing for The Chevron Championship with high hopes of further improving her already impressive record.
Looking Towards the Future
Despite the setback in the match play, Maguire remains optimistic about the future. She believes that her game is on the cusp of reaching its peak, especially after her performance in Vegas. Her focus now shifts to refinement, particularly in her putting, as she prepares for the upcoming major championship. Maguire is well aware of the importance of a strong short game in majors and is dedicated to putting in the extra work needed to excel.
Quotes
Reflecting on the tournament, Maguire shared her thoughts:
"It's pretty disappointing to finish the way I finished, but it almost felt like two separate tournaments this week, the stroke-play event and the match-play event."
Her successful run in the stroke-play portion was a source of pride:
"To lead stroke play around this golf course by three at the end of the three days was something I can take a lot of positives from and be very proud of."
Acknowledging Korda's exceptional performance, Maguire noted:
"Nelly is the best player in the world for a reason. She brought her A-game today, and mine wasn't good enough. Fair play to her for winning again this week."
Looking ahead with optimism, she added:
"I feel like my game is really close. Obviously, I played some great golf this week. Hit some really nice shots. Just needed to putt a little bit better today. So, (I’ll) work on that. I hear the greens at Chevron have been changed a little bit. Major championships ultimately come down to putting. A little bit of extra work on my putting, and we should be in good shape."
As the golfing world turns its eyes to the upcoming tournaments, Maguire's resilience and determination serve as a reminder of her status as a formidable competitor. With her skill, relentless work ethic, and positive outlook, the future is bright for this talented golfer.
