Leona Maguire showed her love for Shadow Creek and her bad-weather credentials to battle her way into contention at the $4 million Aramco Championship in Las Vegas.
The Co Cavan star arrived in Nevada on the back of two missed cuts.
But at a venue where she reached the final of the T-Mobile Matchplay two years ago, she chiselled out a one under 71 to share second place with Korea’s Hyo Joo Kim, five shots behind leader Lauren Coughlin on three under.
“It's almost bordering on a US Open-style setup,” said Maguire, who was one of just ten players under par.
“You see how few people are under par. It feels a little bit like a major without being a major.”
High winds and firm greens made the course a massive challenge, but Coughlin fired a three-under 69 to lead on eight under from Maguire and Kim, who is chasing her third LPGA win in a row.
It's an event co-sanctioned by the LET, and Elm Park’s Anna Foster joined LPGA players Maguire and Lauren Walsh in making the cut.
While Walsh shot 80 to slip to 48th on six over, Foster’s second successive 74 left her tied for 31st on four over.
“Outside of the majors, this is one of the biggest there is and a huge opportunity for everyone early in the year to do well, and on one of the best golf courses in the world,” Maguire said.
“I know a lot of the LET girls were a little intimidated but excited to be here, and the same on the LPGA side.
“We've been treated so well. Staying in the Bellagio and playing a golf course like this, we're pretty lucky to get to do what we do.
“We were joking on Tuesday night. I went to Cirque du Soleil with my sister (Lisa), Lindy (Duncan), and Lydia (Ko).
“As stressful as this golf course is, I think being a Cirque du Soleil performer is a lot more stressful, and we decided we would take playing here instead.”
As for the challenge, it suits a grinder like Maguire, even if she's one of the shorter hitters.
“We played here a few years ago when it was stroke play into match play and the conditions were worse,” she said.
“The rough was worse. Wind was worse. So today maybe didn't -- it was bad, but didn't feel as bad, so I think that maybe helped as well.”
She lost 4&3 to Korda in that Matchplay final two years ago, but she still feels a comfort level around the course.
“I think it helps,” she said. “The more you play this golf course, you know the banks and certain things.
“It's extremely tough either way…It's a fantastic golf course. It's one of the best courses we play all year. I think you could have a major championship here in the morning, and no one would think twice about it.
“Yeah, like I said, it's one of my favourites of the year. I always enjoy coming here.
“I was disappointed when the match play wasn't coming back and excited when I heard this was coming.”
As for catching the leader, she planned to simply do “more of the same”.
“I don't think you can chase anything on this golf course,” the Ballyconnell star said. “Just trying to hit a lot of fairways, greens, and leave yourself in good spots even if that's not on the greens sometimes.
“Yeah, just try and sort of chip away at it one by one. If the leaders come back, great. If not, just try and post as good a number as we can.”
At the PGA Tour’s Valero Texas Open, Scottish left-hander Robert MacIntyre fired an eight-under 64 to lead by four shots clear of Ryder Cup teammate Ludvig Aberg.
He was pleased with his decision to play before the Masters, but a sixth successive start proved too much for Seamus Power.
Obliged to take every opportunity as he looks to regain fully exempt status, his one over 73 left him two shots outside the cut mark on level par.
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