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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Michael Scully

Leona Maguire ready to launch into major season after second LPGA Tour triumph

Leona Maguire reckons she has hit form at just the right time after claiming her second LPGA Tour victory.

And Maguire gave thanks to Padraig Harrington for helping her add Meijer Classic success on Sunday to her debut Tour triumph at the LPGA Drive On Championship in February of last year.

The Cavan golfer has twice finished runner-up at the Meijer, including a play-off defeat 12 months ago, but exploded into life by going six under over the last six holes of her final round in Michigan to shoot 64 and claim the $375,000 first prize.

READ MORE: Leona Maguire captures second LPGA Tour title after blistering final round at Meijer Classic

"Yeah, relief probably more so than anything," Maguire said. "I feel like I've been really close for a year and a half, and it's nice to get that second win finally, and some really good momentum heading into the majors in a couple of weeks.

"This one is, I think, that little bit sweeter after coming so close two years in a row. I know a lot of people this week were saying you're due one, this course owes you something, all the rest.

"But I suppose that's not golf. Golf usually doesn't work like that. But nice that it all worked out well for me this week.

"I mean, it's hugely satisfying. I think it's one thing knowing what to do, another thing executing on it. I feel like I've been playing some really good golf lately, and it's nice that everything sort of just clicked together on the back nine."

An intriguing stat out of the weekend is that all of the previous Meijer Classic winners have also won majors.

And Maguire will tee it up at Baltusrol on Thursday in the KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, followed by the US Women's Open at Pebble Beach next month - with the Amundi Evian Championship and the AIG Women's Open to come after that.

"I mean, it's a nice one," she smiled. "Obviously to get my second win is obviously very nice, and I'll try and give myself as best a chance as possible in the remaining majors this year.

"But I didn't put any pressure on myself this week, so not going to do that for the rest of the season and just enjoy my golf as much as I can.

"I feel like my confidence has been there the last few weeks and it's a case of getting it all to come together.

"And the goal was to be coming into good form heading into Baltusrol and Pebble, so we've peaked a week early, which is nice, so hopefully we can continue that run of form.

"My coach came to Orlando for a few days last week. We didn't make major adjustments, just fine tuned a few things and I've been pretty confident with where my game has been. It's been really steady for the past few weeks now, so it was just a case of having that patience to let it all come together."

Maguire took the chance to play Baltusrol the day after the Mizuho Americas championship.

"It's a beastly golf course," she said. "It's a real major venue. I think this week is good preparation for it. I feel like I drove the ball really well this week.

"I think the greens are going to be firm and fast there like they were here. A slightly different test, it being a major and all.

"But yeah, I think the biggest thing will be resting and recovering after this as quickly as I can and resetting and going again once we get on site."

On the Harrington help, Maguire said that key moments in her success were "key" up and downs on 17 on Friday and Saturday.

"Padraig showed me some shots, so I have to thank him for it. I got to spend some time with him last summer, right before the British Open - so I potentially have to pay him another trip this summer.

"I'll have to check in with him again and see if we can do it again. And yeah, all the Irish guys are great.

"I think it's nice being from that sort of close-knit community, Shane (Lowry) and Padraig, Paul McGinley.

"They're there to give me advice or give Dermot (Byrne, her caddy) advice whenever we need it, so it's nice to have that sort of camaraderie to give the people at home more to cheer about."

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