Leona Maguire, 28, won the LPGA Drive On Championship in 2022 – the first Irish golfer to triumph on the LPGA Tour. She also holds the joint-record for the lowest round in a Major, men’s or women’s, with a 61. The Straits Times caught up with her on the sidelines of the HSBC Women’s World Championship.
Q: If you weren’t a golfer, which sport would you play?
A: I used to swim a lot when I was younger, so probably swimming.
Q: Who is your biggest inspiration?
A: Padraig Harrington was my hero growing up in Ireland. He was winning Majors when I was starting to play golf, so probably him.
Q: Any superstitions?
A: I always keep the same routine and I never play with No. 2 golf balls.
Q: One food you can eat for the rest of your life?
A: I could eat breakfast for every meal – eggs, omelettes.
Q: Favourite city to compete in?
A: Probably Sydney, if it can’t be home in Ireland. It’s just a really cool place, the people are really friendly, there’s a nice atmosphere down the water, near the city. It has everything. Food’s good.
Q: If you could trade lives with anyone for a day, who would it be?
A: Serena Williams would be pretty cool. She’s one of the best athletes of all time. It’d be cool to see what she does per day. And she’s a very successful businesswoman too, so I think she’d have a pretty interesting life.