Maguire makes history with Solheim Cup selection

Golf

Cavan’s Leona Maguire has made history this morning after she became the first Irish golfer to be chosen for the prestigious Solheim Cup.

Maguire is one of three rookies to make the cut for Team Europe, who take on the USA at the Inverness Club course in Toledo, Ohio from 4-6 September.

"I'm really excited, it is something that I have looked forward to. I have played the PING Junior Solheim Cup in 2009 and 2011, it was an incredible thing to be part of the Junior side so to be on the 'big’ team is something really special and no Irish person has ever done it before," said the 26-year-old Ballyconnell star.

"I think it’s going to be great for Irish golf and to show the young girls coming up that it is possible to do things if you set your mind to it. Catriona is a legend in her own right – a winning Solheim Cup captain and a Major winner. For her to think I’m good enough to be on her team is quite humbling and an honour."

Also included in the squad are Leona’s former Duke University teammate Celine Boutier (France), fellow newcomers Matilda Castren (Finland) and Nanna Koerstz Madsen (Denmark) along with Anna Nordqvist (Sweden), Emily Kristine Pedersen (Denmark), Sophia Popov (Germany), Mel Reid, Charley Hull, Georgia Hall (England), Carlota Ciganda (Spain) and Celine Boutier (France) in the Europe team.

Leona made the cut as a wild card after a stellar season; her most recent finish was 13th in the AIG Women’s Open at the weekend.

She previously equalled the lowest round in major history with a 61 at the Evian Championship, in which she finished sixth.

The US team for the Solheim Cup is set to be announced later today on Monday and will include world number one and Olympic champion Nelly Korda. The US have won 10 of the 16 editions of the tournament.