Leona Maguire heads a cast of ten local hopefuls heading into this week's KPMG Women's Irish Open at Dromoland Castle.
The Cavan native is the only one of the Irish contingent in the field to qualify for the Ladies European Tour event, which is returning to the Clare track for the second consecutive year, as the other nine have entered thanks to a tournament invitation.
Beth Coulter, Emma Fleming, Sara Byrne, Kate Lanigan, Olivia Costello, Aideen Walsh, and Aine Donegan are the seven Irish amateurs in the field, while Olivia Mehaffey and Victoria Craig make up the home-based challenge.
Clare native Donegan made the headlines earlier this summer as she impressed at the Women's US Open at Pebble Beach, enjoying a share of third place following a first round 69.
The LSU student would finish her maiden professional tour event in a tie for 45th place, but missed out on the $35,208 prize money due to her amateur status.
Mehaffey has been competing on the Ladies European Tour since turning professional and has shown some glimpses of her fine amateur form, including a third place finish in the Ladies Open by Pickala in June, as well as shooting an impressive 64 in the opening round of the Amundi German Masters, where she led after the first round, eventually finishing tied 12th.
All eyes will be on Maguire, however, as the world number 17 takes a break from the prestigious LPGA Tour in America, to play her national open, ahead of a trip to Spain later in September to represent Europe in the Solheim Cup.
Maguire was the star of that particular event when Europe reigned victorious against the USA in 2021 at the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio, However, her full focus will be on the parkland Dromoland track as she looks to land the title for the first time.
The two-time LPGA Tour winner finished in a share of fourth place at last year’s event and will be hoping to push on and enjoy glory this year.
However, with the eyes of a nation watching, Maguire is attempting to take the emotion out of it and treat this week’s tournament like any other.
Yet with huge crowds expected once again for the four-day tournament, Maguire acknowledged the special atmosphere of her home event that has only recently returned to the Ladies European Tour (LET) roster.
"It’s huge to have this event. The crowds were amazing last year, and I think everyone was really excited to have this tournament back on the schedule," said Maguire, speaking at the pre-tournament press conference.
"I remember last year a lot of the LET girls were saying to me, it almost felt like a major the way the crowds were, so I think everybody is really excited to be here.
"I think that’s the general feel here this week, you can tell everybody at Dromoland is excited to have us and the players are excited to be here. It’s a win-win for everybody."
While the venue remains the same for the second year in a row, there have been changes to both the layout and the calendar slot, which has allowed for the sizeable contingent of Irish amateur prospects, including the aforementioned Donegan, who will tee it up alongside Maguire for the opening two rounds.
"There’s a few improvements," said Maguire, regarding the Dromoland track. "They have done a few new tees on 11 and 12, and 16 is different as well.
"I think the changes are really good, it’s nice to see them investing in the course and trying to make the course and event better every year that we come back.
"You see a lot more from some of the tee shots. The course is in great shape, it’s framed really well. The bunkers are tidy, it’s a really good golf course. It’s nice when it comes together like that.
"With the dates being a smidge earlier, it’s nice that so many Irish amateurs are getting a chance to play this week. For some of them, it’s their first time playing in a professional event. I was fortunate enough to do that as an amateur when I was younger, so that’s a huge learning experience for them and that’s exactly what you want for a home open."
And Maguire is intending to take last year’s experience into this year’s tilt for the title.
"It’s always special to come home and you try to do as well as you possibly can. It’s a busy week for me, there are a lot of demands on my time and you’re trying to give everybody as much time as you can and still prepare," said Maguire.
"There are a lot of things to juggle this week and that was a big learning experience for me last year, but at the same time, you’re so appreciative of everyone who comes out and follows.
"You try and treat it like any other week and play as well as you can. You want to do well every week and this week is no different.
"I’m going to try and play as well as I possibly can, it’s just an added bonus this week that you have extra people cheering for you and clapping when you hit a good shot. Hopefully, I can give them as much to cheer about as possible."
Defending champion Klara Spilkova is back to attempt to retain her title and she will make up the marquee threeball with Maguire and Donegan for the opening two rounds.
And Spilkova admitted that she got a touch emotional as she returned to the track where she landed her second European Tour title.
"I played the back nine and it was like a flashback," said Spilkova. "It was crazy, I remember every single shot.
"I was almost getting emotional out there, it was nice to be back and have all those amazing memories. It’s great to be back and the course is in great shape. Everybody is very friendly and hospitable; I have really been having a nice time here.
"It will be great to play with Leona and go out there and do our best," she added. "I appreciate the Irish fans and Irish people in general. They know golf and sport in general and that’s amazing. It brings a huge value to the whole event. I’m excited to go out there and play."
