In the 2012 Curtis Cup official programme Leona Maguire says when she’s not golfing she likes to swim, read, go to the cinema, play pool and table tennis and listen to music, particularly rap.
Her favourite songs are Nicki Minaj’s ‘Starships’ and Flo Rida’s ‘Wild Ones’.
Leona Maguire lists 'Starships' and 'Wild One's as her favourite songs but it's golf that comes first.
Maguire also says she’s had ‘some successes in my playing career to date’.
Actually, the 17-year old is grossly under stating her achievements as she already enjoys a golfing CV the envy of players twice her age.
Maguire’s is one of three G B & I players who competed in the last Curtis Cup when the side went down by five points to the USA team two years ago in the States.
The World Number 10 ranked Maguire teed up this morning in overcast conditions at Nairn in sparkling form coming off an easy eight-shot victory some six weeks ago in the Irish Under-18 Girls Open Stroke Play Championship at Roganstown.
And while USA have won 28 of the 36 Curtis Cup’s contested since 1932, including the past seven, Maguire is quietly confident the Tegwen Matthews led GB & I team can end a Stars and Stripes domination.
“I think we can win back the Curtis Cup and that’s our goal this week,” said Maguire.
“Having played in the event two years ago when the American team was really strong is going to help me this week.
“But this year the GB & I side is really strong and we have a very good chance of winning especially with the wind and rain predicted.
“And playing here at Nairn is a huge home advantage and a real bonus for ourselves. Judging by the amount of support we have received already, it all will work in our favour.”
Royal Portrush’s Stephanie Meadows has lived in the U.S. for the past five years and the now 20-year old tees-up having just over a year ago been awarded First Team All American honours by the National Collegiate Golf Coaches Association.
Meadows and Maguire are the only two Irish in the eight-women team.
And just as the men’s GB & I Walker Cup humbled the Americans last year at Royal Aberdeen, she also believes home advantage could prove pivotal this week.
“The Americans aren’t used to playing links and being able to handle changeable weather or how to play in wind and control the ball, so that is a big advantage for our team,” said Meadows.
“I have been over in the States for six years now playing golf and I’ve never played on a links course in the States. They have no idea what’s coming.”
Matthews simply message to her eight-woman team, including the highest world ranked Charley Hull of England at Number Four, is simple: “Go and win!”
