For this week’s Spotlight On feature, we spoke to Irish golfer Leona Maguire.
At the age of 9, the Cavan native gave up a promising swimming career to concentrate on golf, and she hasn’t looked back since.
The now 26-year-old turned professional in 2018, signing to One Direction star Niall Horan’s golf management company Modest! Golf along with her twin sister Lisa.
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Leona represented Ireland in the Olympics in Rio back in 2016, and again in Tokyo earlier this year.
Just last month, the sports star made a sensational debut at the Solheim Cup, helping Europe take home the trophy.
Leona spoke exclusively to Goss.ie about her incredible win, as well as what it means to her to be a woman in sports, and her hopes to represent Ireland at the 2024 Olympics.
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You’ve been playing golf from a very young age, when did you first discover your love for the sport?
I first started playing golf at the Par 3 course at the Slieve Russell when I was 10 years old. I have always had a keen interest in sports from young age and lovely playing all sorts of sports as a kid with my friends. I suppose I started to focus on golf solely from the age of 16 when I really set my sights on becoming a professional golfer with the goal of playing on the LPGA.
Which female sports stars did you look up to when you were younger and why?
Within Ireland, Katie Taylor was a huge inspiration to me and it was incredible watching her win an Olympic gold medal in London in 2012. I also really looked to international athletes like Serena Williams. Her work ethic and dedication to her sport is just incredible and it so motivating to see how she prepares and competes on a world class stage.
What has been the most surreal moment in your career to date?
The Solheim Cup in Toledo was definitely the highlight of my career so far. From the outset of this year I was really looking forward to the possibility of making the European Team and I couldn’t have been happier that my play throughout the year impressed Captain Matthew enough to give me a wildcard pick.
The week itself was more amazing than I would’ve ever dreamed of it being, from start to finish the team was incredible and we really made memories that will last a life time. Earning 4.5/5 points for Team Europe really was the icing on the cake and just added to what really was a truly special week.
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What do you think is the biggest barrier in driving the visibility of women’s sports?
I think it is important that women’s sport gets the coverage it deserves in the media, across all platforms. We have so many incredible Irish female athletes that have achieved world class feats this year, like Kellie Harrington and Rachel Blackmore who are amazing role models for future generations.
It is so important that young kids can see throughout media outlets how well these women are doing and that if they work just as hard, that they too can achieve great things.
What does it mean to you to be a woman in sports?
I am incredibly proud and grateful to have the opportunity to be part of an amazing community that are lucky enough to call sport their “job”. In 2021, there are so many immensely talented female athletes both here in Ireland and abroad that aspire to achieve and rise to the top of their respective fields.
I think that the standard of women’s sport in general has improved so much in the last number of decades, many of us are lucky enough to be able to train and play our sport full-time thanks to the improved sponsor opportunities and government funding.
Women in Sport still seem to be breaking down barriers with respect to the continual comparison to our male counterparts, but in many instances the gap seems to be getting smaller. Many people still attempt to put down the efforts of Women in Sport with the arguments that we aren’t as “strong” or as “quick” as the men but for me, these people completely miss the essence of what makes up a true athlete.
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What advice would you give to a young girl who is just starting off in sports?
I think that the most important thing would be to enjoy the game as much as you can. I know that people often associate golf with being on the more boring end of things but it really isn’t once you get started and playing with others. I think the one of the best things for young girls would be to get out playing with their friends and so that they can all enjoy the experience together.
Golf being an individual sport can be a little lonely at times so it makes it much more fun when you have others to talk and joke with as you play. I was lucky to have my twin sister and younger brother to play with growing up and we used to have great times on the course together after school and during the summer. During my amateur days I was lucky to be part of so many wonderful Irish and European teams where I made some of my best friends.
Golf really does have a way of bringing of people of all ages and backgrounds together and the most incredible thing is that you can play it anywhere in the world with anyone. Most golf clubs now have junior sections with lots of avid golfers so they are a great place to get started and whet your appetite for the game. Golf can be a frustrating game in the beginning but stick with it because it can offer so many hours of enjoyment, friendship and comradery that will last a lifetime!
What are your goals for the next few years?
I want to continue my strong play to finish out the 2021 season. I have had some top-5 finishes already this year and it would definitely be a goal of mine to get a win out on the LPGA soon.
Representing Ireland at the Olympics is always a huge honour for me and Rio and Tokyo were both incredible experiences. Paris 2024 is definitely a goal of mine and the prospect of winning an Olympic medal gives me lots of motivation to work and practice hard in the coming months and years.
