Leona Maguire

Leona Maguire (born 30 November 1994) is an Irish amateur golfer. As of 13 May 2015, she is ranked 1st in the world on the women's World Amateur Golf Ranking. A native of County Cavan, her parents are schoolteachers Declan and Breda Maguire. At the age of 9, she gave up a promising swimming career to concentrate on golf. She is 15 minutes younger than her twin sister Lisa Maguire who is also an accomplished golfer.

Career

2006

In August at the age of 11, Maguire came joint third in the under-12 World Golf Championship at Pinehurst in North Carolina. Her twin sister Lisa Maguire beat off more than 800 competitors from 30 countries to become the new under-12 world champion. In September, the twins were chosen to bring the Ryder Cup trophy to the stage during the presentation ceremony after Europe's win at the K Club against the USA.

2007

On 6 May, Maguire became the youngest winner of the Hermitage Ladies Scratch Cup at the age of 12. She also won the St. Leonard's Scottish U-16 Open; Connacht Girls U-18 Championship; Ulster U-19 Schools Championship; The Darren Clarke 2007 Girls Championship; Girls Interprovincial Championship and was Runner-up in the Midland and Leinster Championships.