Leona Maguire (-8) has claimed victory at the Aramco Team Series in London. If there’s a way to sign your first victory on the Ladies European Tour, there probably isn’t a better one. What a shot she pulled out of the hat on the 18th hole of Centurion Club to sign an eagle that snatched the triumph from Maria Hernandez (-7). Such was the shot and the intensity of the final day that even the Irishwoman was moved. She has also become the first Irishwoman to win on the Ladies European Tour.
What a barbarity. What a shot. Leona Maguire was +2 on the day. Suffering indescribably, but then came hole 18, par 5, and there she showed the incredible competitor she is. Maria Hernandez had tightened the classification with three final birdies that had propelled her to the top of the table. Maguire went out to the last flag of the day needing a birdie to go to the playoff with the Spaniard. Well, take two cups. Eagle and victory to the pocket.
Leona started from the tee with a great driver and left the ball in the centre of the street and just before the bunker that protects that area. From there she had a very long shot. She pulled out a wood so characteristic of the Irishwoman and left it just three metres from the flag. The putt was not easy, but after that shot she could not miss the shot. Through the centre of the hole and in. Fist in the air. Yes, Leona Maguire was moved.
Thirteen months later the Irishwoman returns to the path of victory. The first victory of her career on the LET. It is perhaps surprising that a player of the Irishwoman’s stature has not won before on the circuit and, although, it is true that her career has been focused on the LPGA it is surely a great relief this victory.
If Leona’s victory has been so meritorious it is because the Spaniard Maria Hernandez has tightened the table spectacularly. What a day of golf Maria Hernandez (-7) has given herself. The Navarrese has given herself a real treat on the eve of San Fermin.
A card of 68 strokes placed her leader in the clubhouse and for a while she had the tournament in her hand. She played like an angel on a tough day for golf and in which the rain made its presence felt. She was the only player who did not make any bogey on the last day. Victory has eluded her for 14 years, but this season she is knocking on the door of victory with both hands. She accumulates four consecutive top tens, with two second places among them.
Lauren Walsh (-6) and Alison Lee (-6) were two other big movers of the day with two very good final rounds of 65 and 68 strokes, respectively, to finish in third place. Maria Hernandez’s birdie on the last hole left them without a chance of victory. Georgia Hall (-6) also reached the final hole with options, but against Leona’s eagle little more could be said.
Of the rest of the Armada players, Nuria Iturrioz (PAR) stood out, who played under par again in the final round and finished within the top twenty of the tournament. Fatima Fernandez Cano (+4), Teresa Toscano (+6), Miria Prat (+7), Paz Marfa (+9) and Luna Sobron (+11) complete the list of Spanish players who made the cut in London.
