Leona Maguire finished just a shot shy of being part of a playoff for the Irish Open at Dromoland Castle on Sunday.
The Cavan golfer closed out the fourth round on 13-under, one behind leaders Klara Spilkova, Ursula Wikstrom, and Nicole Broch Estrup. The Czech Republic's Spilkova eventually won the playoff.
Maguire's tournament began well on Thursday as she shot a five-under 67, but Friday was a major disappointment as she finished three-over for the round. Saturday's seven-under 65 got her back into contention, but Sunday started with two bogeys. Six birdies followed over the next 16 holes.
Leona Maguire: 'I gave it my very best shot'
It might not have been the win, but @leona_maguire has put on a show for these Irish fans this week 🇮🇪
What a weekend performance from the home hero!#RaiseOurGame | #WIO2022 pic.twitter.com/LymFHYsrE6
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) September 25, 2022
"I gave it my very best shot today, especially on the back nine," she said after Sunday's round.
"I was just a little bit too far back after Friday. If you'd told on Friday night that I'd finish on 13-under, I'd have taken it.
"I knew I had to make birdies. That was my only plan. I wasn't really looking at the leaderboard. I personally thought today that 16-under was the number to get to, and I was trying to get there.
"It would have been easy to give up on Friday night, but I came out fighting on Saturday, and gave myself a chance today, which is all I can ask for.
"The front nine hasn't been my friend this week! Hopefully, next year when I come back, it'll be a little kinder to me."
25 September 2022; Leona Maguire of Ireland chips out of the rough on the second fairway during round four of the KPMG Women's Irish Open Golf Championship at Dromoland Castle in Clare. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
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This year's tournament was the first Irish Open since 2012.
"There's been some great golf played," said Maguire.
"The Irish fans had a lot to cheer about this week. They've come out in their droves. The first Irish Open in 10 years has been a roaring success."
🔊 Things are starting to get LOUD at @GolfDromoland @leona_maguire is now just one back after three birdies in five holes#RaiseOurGame | #WIO2022 pic.twitter.com/XpK8iqUfHj
— Ladies European Tour (@LETgolf) September 25, 2022
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