Leona Maguire called sitting out of an entire day of Solheim Cup matches last Saturday a “bitter pill to swallow.” The gritty Irishwoman noted that European captain Suzann Pettersen didn’t give her much reason, but that the feeling she got was that leadership felt her game was too short and she didn’t make enough birdies for the setup at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club.
In Sunday singles, when everyone plays, the player nicknamed “MVP” by her peers, put up five birdies in 15 holes to win 4 up over Ally Ewing. Maguire said she felt like she proved there’s “more than one way to skin a cat.”
Fast forward to this week’s Kroger Queen City Championship, where the former Duke star opened with a 67 at TPC River’s Bend.
She was asked after that round if the 67 was a message to Pettersen.
“No, I mean, me and Suzann are on very good terms,” Maguire told Golf Channel. “I have a lot of respect for her. She was a hero of mine growing up. Ultimately, it was her decision last week. She did what was best for the team.
“I would’ve been happy to sit out every match if it meant we brought back the trophy. I knew my game was in good shape. Showed that in the singles last week, and just trying to finish off the season as strong as I can.”
Form is temporary, class is permanent
💪🏼🇪🇺 🦁 https://t.co/xRAYLx15mW— Leona Maguire (@leona_maguire) September 15, 2024
In her first two Solheim Cup appearances, Maguire played in all five matches and was the heart of the lineup. She played only twice in Virginia, where Team USA won the Solheim for the first time since 2017.
Maguire, who ultimately tied for 45th at the Kroger, said it had been a rough couple of months leading into the Solheim and that she hasn’t enjoyed her golf as much as she would’ve liked. The Solheim served as a reminder of how fun the game can be, even if her role turned out much differently than anyone expected.
After Europe lost the cup, Pettersen was asked about her decision to sit Maguire for so many sessions. The fiery Norwegian said she doesn’t live her life with regrets.
“You’d rather play with your gut feel and your heart,” she said. “Sometimes you get outplayed.”
