Leona and Lisa Maguire made their LPGA Symetra Tour professional debuts at the weekend as they competed in The 2018 Forsyth Classic at Hickory Point Golf Club. The Forsyth Classic is the longest running tournament on the LPGA Symetra Tour.
The twins from Cavan teed-off their professional careers at The ShopRite LPGA last weekend and were hoping to continue their encouraging start to reach their main goal of competing in the LPGA Tour next season.
Former amateur world number one, Leona Maguire, teed-off on Friday with her ex-Duke University teammate, Sandy Choi, and University of North Carolina alumna, Catherin O’Donnell. This pairing seemed to settle any nerves Leona might have had as she found herself 3-under par after the first 9 holes. Leona didn't look out of place and was solid hitting every fairway, finishing the round with 69.
On Saturday, again showing no signs of nerves Leona returned with a round of 68 to add to her opening round leaving her tied for tenth and 7-under par. Sensationally, Leona hit the shot of the day as she recorded her first professional hole in one on the 17th from 149 yards with a 7-iron. With this, moving into the final day, Leona found herself five shots off the lead.
Beginning her final round at 12:10pm local time in Illinois, Leona hand her sights on chasing down the leader of the pack, Nontaya Strisawant of Thailand who was 12-under par. After an incredibly professional front 9, Leona birdied the 13th and 14th and finished off the day 3-under par moving her 10-under overall just two shots off the lead. In the end this wasn't enough and Leona shared third place with Min Seo Kwak, Kristy McPherson and Nontaya Srisawang.
Unfortunately for Lisa Maguire two rounds of 75 meant she did not make the cut. Lisa found it difficult in the front nine but showed her class with some eye-catching birdies throughout her rounds.
Maguire earned prize money of $6,574 for her finish. Isi Gabsa was the overall winner as she beat Jillian Hollis in a playoff.
