Leona Maguire goes into the Women's British Open tomorrow as the best amateur golfer in the world.
The Cavan native has dominated the American collegiate golf scene in 2017, cementing her place at the top of the world rankings. Alongside her twin sister Lisa, the duo represent North Carolina's Duke University.
After winning this year's British Ladies Amateur Championship in Wales, the 22-year-old is hoping to retain her title at Kingsbarns this week as the leading amateur.
While the Slieve Russell golfer will go into the tournament as one of only six amateurs, it could have been very different for the Cavan golfer has she turned professional last year.
Maguire had the opportunity last November to earn a spot on the LGPA Tour, but a last-minute change of heart meant she would stay in college to complete a psychology degree next year at Duke.
As the world's best amateur golfer, Maguire could have had her pick of endorsement deals and sponsors to set her up for life, but she has no regrets with the decision that was made.
It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. It's going to have an affect on my career, on way or the other.
Looking back on the past year, I can safely say that I think I've made the right decision. It was based on a few different things though.
I dont really half-do things and I wanted to see out my college career. I made that commitment to Duke and everybody on the team. I wanted to see that through as best as I could.
The LGPA will always be there. There's obviously money involved, but I've never been involved in it for the money. It's a nice perk that goes with playing well.
It's always been a dream of mine to play on the LGPA Tour with the best players in the world week in and week out, and to eventually be one of them.
The extra two years [at Duke] will not make a difference in the grand scheme of things.
With her position as the best amateur in the world, Maguire has regularly been invited to play with the professionals. She calls these events as "learning weeks".
When there's no money on the line, you're trying to learn as much as you can. You try and finish high enough up the leaderboard come Sunday. To make the cut is always the first goal though.
Such has been the Maguire's talent from a young age, Leona and here sister Lisa have been widely known to Irish sports fans. Last year, Leona represented Ireland at the Olympics, with her sister on the bag.
Finishing in a tie for 21st place in Brazil, Maguire admitted her performance reintroduced her to the Irish public.
The Olympics was a big thing. It's the biggest sporting event in the world. I didn't realise it at the time, but there would have been a lot of people who wouldn't traditionally follow golf, that got the chance to tune in because it was in Rio... We haven't had any big Irish pros on Tour, so it was nice to be out there.
It's takes a strong-minded athlete to turn down the riches of professional sport, for long-term gain. Paul McGinley praised her decision, thinking it would be a "good decision".
Tough and good decision @leona_maguire to remain at College - you'll be even smarter when you do turn pro !!
— Paul McGinley (@mcginleygolf) November 23, 2016
With one year to go in college, Maguire knows she has time on her side in the professional ranks. She has seen up close what the likes of Padraig Harrington and Rory McIlroy have done for golf in the country, and could well write here own chapters in the years to come.
Maguire tees off on Thursday morning with European major winners Catriona Matthew and Anna Nordqvist at 7.35am.
