Best fathers’ day present ever!

Leona Maguire won the Meijer LPGA Classic in Michigan on Sunday, and no two people are prouder than her parents Declan and Breda Maguire.

Her father, a GAA man but now avid golf fan for obvious reasons, details her performance.

“It was probably one of the best rounds of golf she has ever played,” he said.

“It was unreal,” he said.

The Ballyconnell woman played a bogey free round and finished eight-under-par 64 with four birdies and an eagle in her final six holes. The win earned her a pretty prize purse of $375,000.

The pro-golfer always rings her father after her competitions.

He revealed that Leona sets goals for herself, despite him not focusing on numbers and encouraging her to “stay calm” during competitions. She had a goal of finishing twenty under par, which she exceeded.

“Talking to her afterwards, she didn’t really realise the position she was in until the very end,” he said.

This is Leona’s second win of the LPGA tour after winning the Drive On Championship in February 2022.

“The first win is always special, but I think this one was even sweeter,” he said, detailing that the competition was “serious” from her competitors Amy Yang and Xiyu Lin. Jennifer Kupcho, who won the tournament last year, was also among the competition.

“At one stage, it could have been any one of them,” he said.

“When it came to it, she pushed her home.

“It’s something you dream about, that you finish like that,” he said.

As Fathers' Day goes, Declan said “it was definitely a day to remember".

“The way she won it, that was what pleased me the most.”

He hopes to see his daughter on Irish soil in the next three to fou weeks. He said the summer months tend to be on “this side of the water”, which he is looking forward to.

When on home turf, Leona enjoys playing at the course at the Slieve Russell where she started out.

“When you’re not at a tournament, you’re preparing for a tournament,” he said of his daughter’s lifestyle.

“She enjoys that, it’s not a chore to her. She puts in the hard work. You couldn’t be prouder,” he said.

Living abroad, he said his daughter appreciates the support from home. He said, for her, seeing a Cavan flag, a jersey or an Irish flag at her tournaments always gives her a boost.

“The messages and support from people all around Cavan and all-around Ireland have been brilliant.

“When you’re away from home all the time it means an awful lot.”

Leona’s mother Breda Maguire expressed the pride she took in her daughter’s performance.

“She is extremely dedicated; she loves her sport. We are so proud of her and it’s brilliant to see her doing so well,” she concluded.