Leona Maguire feels she notched “a big mental win” when she fired a brilliant 69 in tough conditions to top the qualifiers for the T-Mobile Match Play in Las Vegas.
With just two weeks to go to the season's first major, the Co Cavan star topped the field by three shots on six-under after 54 holes and is the number one seed heading into today’s quarter-finals at Shadow Creek.
Minami Katsu, Angel Yin, Rose Zhang, Sei Young Kim, Nelly Korda, Narin An and Moriya Jutanugarn (after a four-way playoff for the final spot) also made the top eight.
But Maguire is full of confidence after finishing her third round with two birdies to top the qualifiers by three shots on six-under as Stephanie Meadow missed out in the top eight by four shots after a 78.
“Today was a big mental win for me,”
said Maguire, who faces Jutanugarn in the quarterfinals after the Thai star birdied the third playoff hole to see off Brook Henderson and Yuka Saso after Hae Ran Ryu had been eliminated at the first extra hole.
“I think going out, we knew the conditions were going to be tough. It was going to be windy; it was going to be swirling, the greens were going to get firm in the afternoon.”
The Ballyconnell battler made just one bogey in round three and after reaching the semi-finals last year, she’s looking forward to a big weekend.
“Just really committed to our targets and picked some really nice shots and executed really well. Me and Dermot (her caddy) worked really well out there today and stayed very patient, just stayed really positive as well and embraced the challenge today.
“That was sort of the mentality, was enjoying putting the pieces of the puzzle together on every shot rather than focusing on how hard it actually was.
“It's very different conditions to last year. Obviously, it is a lot windier and a lot colder. But I love this golf course. I think it's one of the best, if not the best, golf course we play all year.
“It's an unbelievable test. It's really a major championship golf course. You get punished if you hit bad shots and get rewarded if you hit good shots, and that's exactly how golf should be I think.
“I really enjoy the test that it brings. Looking forward to another day tomorrow.”
With the Chevron Championship - the opening major- less than a fortnight away, Maguire is rounding into form.
But if she’s to win her first title this year she may have to get past world number one Nelly Korda, who is seeking her fourth win in a row and is seeded to meet Maguire in the final.
“Yeah, I mean, Nelly is the best player in the world right now,” she said. “She's playing great golf, so no surprise she's in the match play.
“The conditions on the golf course brings out the best in everybody, and it's no surprise to see some of the best players in the world up near the top of the leaderboard.
“I'm sure Nelly is going to be a tough match for whoever she plays. She's been on quite a roll and very impressive to watch.”
Maguire did not stick around to see who emerged from the playoff to face her today.
“Absolutely not,” she said. “I'm out of here. Going to get some food really quick and get to bed.
“I think there is so much energy and mental energy expended today. It's a quick turnaround for tomorrow, so get some good food and get to bed early and go again tomorrow.”
Quarterfinal matches (Irish time)
15:40 Leona Maguire (No. 1 seed) vs Moira Jutanugarn (No. 8),
15:50 Rose Zhang (No. 2) vs Sei Young Kim (No. 5)
16:00 Minami Katsu (No. 2) vs. Narin An (No. 7)
16:10 Angela Yin (No. 3) vs Nelly Korda (No. 6).
Article Link: Maguire notches “big mental win” to top qualifiers for T-Mobile Match Play - News - Irish Golf Desk