Ireland's best hope of Olympic women's gold medal rests with in-form athlete and a proven 2024 winner
“It’s a huge honour to be selected for my third Olympics," said Leona Maguire. "There are not a lot of people who can say that they have been to three Olympic Games."
In-form golfer Leona Maguire represents Ireland's best shot at a women's gold medal at the 2024 Olympics. Confirmation of her place in Paris came through just 10 days after becoming the first Irish woman ever to win on the Ladies European Tour.
Last June 5 Maguire netted $75,000 thanks to an eagle on the 18th at the Aramco Team Series in Hemel Hempstead, England. She had led the competition through all three rounds posting scores of 66, 72, 73. A win that came just two months on from making the T-Mobile Match Play final at Shadow Creek, Las Vegas, but losing out 4&3 to Nelly Korda. That runner-up slot netted her $187,584.
READ MORE: Crunch time for Leona Maguire as she bids to make major memories
“It’s a huge honour to be selected for my third Olympics," said Maguire. "There are not a lot of people who can say that they have been to three Olympic Games.
"Anytime you get to represent your country is a huge honour, and to do it at an Olympic Games, there’s no bigger honour.
"As golfers we don’t get to be part of a team very often, so it is special to be part of a team heading to Paris."
Rory McIlroy, who finished fourth in Tokyo 2020, and Shane Lowry will represent Ireland in the men's competition.
Cavan-born Maguire and along Antrim’s Stephanie Meadow, heading to their third Olympics, will comprise Ireland's women's team.
“Me and Steph have known each other a lifetime now, it seems, and it is our third Olympics together.
"It’s been quite the journey over the last, almost 20 years, at this point. It is nice to see growth in each other’s games and lives, and nice to be able to share this together.”
The 2024 Olympics golf, set to begin on August 7, will be staged at Le Golf National in Saint-Qeuentin-en-Yvelines, near Versailles to the southwest of Paris. LGN has previously hosted major international competitions including the Ryder Cup in 2018.
Added Neil Manchip, High Performance Director with Golf Ireland: “With a couple of weeks to go the excitement is building for the Paris games.
"Team Ireland golf is in great shape and very much looking forward to the challenges that await at Le Golf National.”
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