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'I have to thank Pádraig' - Maguire hails Harrington's influence after second LPGA win

The Cavan woman triumphed at the Meijer Classic in Michigan.

LEONA MAGUIRE HAS hailed Pádraig Harrington’s influence and guidance after her Meijer Classic success.

Speaking in the wake of her second career LPGA title win, the Cavan woman revealed that she spent time with Harrington last summer.

Having finished runner-up at the Meijer Classic each of the past two years, those valuable lessons put her in good stead for a successful assault at Blythefield Country Club in Belmont, Michigan, over the weekend.

Maguire was originally asked about Rory McIlroy amidst his US Open bid, but soon switched the focus to three-time Major champion and long-standing role model Harrington.

“Obviously Rory has been incredibly impressive, everything that he’s done throughout his career,” the 28-year-old said. “Rory has been a big inspiration for a lot of people. The big one for me has been Padraig Harrington.

“I had a few really key up-and-downs this week especially on 17 both Friday and Saturday. Pádraig showed me some shots, so I have to thank him for it. I got to spend some time with him last summer, right before the British Open last year. So I potentially have to pay him another trip this summer. He’s a little busy today at the US Open, but I’ll have to check in with him again and see if we can do it again.

“All the Irish guys are great. I think it’s nice being from that sort of close-knit community. Shane [Lowry] and Pádraig, Paul McGinley, they’re there to give me advice or give Dermot [Byrne, caddie] advice whenever we need it, so it’s nice to have that sort of camaraderie give the people at home more to cheer about.”

Maguire fired an eight-under-par 64 yesterday to finish on 21-under 267 for 72 holes.

She made an eagle and four birdies on her last six holes, completing a bogey-free Sunday and surpassing her goal of 20-under.

The world number 20 was pleased everything clicked on the back nine. Overall, she was happy with her game all week, having stayed away from looking at leaderboards or tracking others’ progress. 

“This one is that little bit sweeter after coming so close two years in-a-row. I know a lot of people this week were saying you’re due one, this course owes you something, all the rest. But I suppose that’s not golf. Golf usually doesn’t work like that. But nice that it all worked out well for me this week.”

Afterwards, Maguire celebrated with Stephanie Meadow — who finished tied for 13th — and shared a phone call with her twin sister, Lisa, and their parents.

“Lisa has been here the last two years. She’s going to be out at Baltusrol next week, so that’ll be nice. Managed to get this one without her, unfortunately. Hopefully I’ll get one some day with her there watching.”  

She later paid tribute to Meadow and Oliva Mehaffey amidst their recent exploits — and name-checked Beth Coulter, Lauren Walsh and Aine Donegan as the rise of Irish women’s golf continues.

“I feel like there’s a lot of good girls coming up through the ranks. I’m just trying to do what I do and hopefully it’ll inspire a younger generation of Irish girls.”

Maguire’s previous LPGA victory came at last year’s Drive On Championship in Florida, and she’ll be hell-bent on more success in 2023. When it was put to her that all Meijer Classic champions have won Majors, she concluded:

“Obviously to get my second win is very nice, and I’ll try and give myself as best a chance as possible in the remaining majors this year. But I didn’t put any pressure on myself this week, so not going to do that for the rest of the season and just enjoy my golf as much as I can.”

Written by The 42 Team and posted on the42.ie

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    Mute Slim Browne
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    Feb 17th 2016, 9:57 AM

    Evil : just pure evil :

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    Mute Oran Joyce
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    Feb 17th 2016, 9:45 AM

    Mother and ‘boyfriend’ seems to be the common denominator here.

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    Mute Dermot Lane
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    Feb 17th 2016, 12:47 PM

    So if they were married it wouldn’t happen, I assume is what you’re implying?

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    Mute Alan Moore
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    Feb 17th 2016, 3:59 PM

    I think he is saying that a dad has a connection to a child, and can protect the child. A home with multiple boyfriends doesn’t offer the same protection, don’t want to speak for him, that is what I think he meant.

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    Mute Larissa Caroline Nikolaus
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    Feb 17th 2016, 11:01 AM

    If this was their fifth arrest in relation to child abuse, why haven’t they been locked away sooner? Or will this only happen once they’ve killed the girl? There’s something seriously f*cked up in a justice system, where you can abuse your child be arrested for it, and then are allowed to continue as if nothing happened

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    Mute Julian King
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    Feb 17th 2016, 10:14 AM

    A child died after her mother poured boiling water on her face, one of the many reasons why I don’t believe in God. If a God can sit back and let that happen then there is absolutely no point in a “God” existing.

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    Mute FlopFlipU
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    Feb 17th 2016, 10:19 AM

    Is there a island that we can put all those horrible people on

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    Mute Derek
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    Feb 17th 2016, 10:29 AM

    Japan?

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    Mute John Hagin Meade
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    Feb 17th 2016, 5:24 PM

    “Is there a island that we can put all those horrible people on”.
    Yes, there is an island in Japan known as ‘Battleship Island’. If you google it you will see it would really would be perfect for these evil excuses for parents.

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    Mute Marg murphy
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    Feb 17th 2016, 10:30 AM

    Mother and “boyfriend” seem to be a very common thread in a huge percentage of these cases. Very weak, stupid, compliant and self indulgent women and evil, controlling men. To allow your child to be abused by another is the ultimate betrayal of natural law and all that makes us human. Those women deserve to lose their children without any second chances. There’s a special place in hell for people who would deliberately and maliciously hurt a child. And animals.

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    Mute Luke Kelly
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    Feb 17th 2016, 9:55 AM
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    Mute Leo Lowe
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    Feb 17th 2016, 9:57 AM

    Where was the father? He was obviously responsible.

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    Mute Luke Kelly
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    Feb 17th 2016, 10:47 AM

    She probably met up with him after she was released on bail.

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    Mute warrendowling
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    Feb 17th 2016, 11:35 AM

    Turn you’re stomach

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    Mute C Mc Gyver
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    Feb 17th 2016, 10:43 AM

    She should sue she!

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    Mute Marg murphy
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    Feb 17th 2016, 11:07 AM

    Ok that made me laugh.

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    Mute Donie Keyes
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    Feb 17th 2016, 10:35 AM

    What about us having to take cod liver oil!

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    Mute Debi Nikita
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    Feb 17th 2016, 10:55 AM

    Yeah Donie, along with a punch in the face and a ciggerette burn in your mouth.

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    Mute warrendowling
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    Feb 17th 2016, 11:36 AM

    Their not short on omega 3 anyway

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    Mute Leo Lowe
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    Feb 17th 2016, 9:54 AM

    The poor woman is obviously mentally disturbed and needs our help and sympathy. She was obviously acting under the influence of some evil male. He should be tracked down like a dog, horsewhipped and imprisoned for life.

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    Mute HOTBank
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    Feb 17th 2016, 10:52 AM

    The flipping Catholic Church has a lot to answer for!

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    Mute Larry Whack
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    Feb 17th 2016, 9:53 AM

    The defence, “She came for it and by jaysus she got it!”

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