Leona Maguire has become the first Irish player to be named on the European Solheim Cup team.
The 26-year-old has been named as one of Team Europe captain Catriona Matthew's wildcard picks for the competition against the United States.
The qualification window closed on Sunday with the conclusion of the Women's Open at Carnoustie where Maguire finished tied for 13th. It continued a year of progression for the Cavan golfer, which has seen her break into the world's top 50.
Leona Maguire 'excited' by Solheim Cup pick
13th in the last major of the year ✅ Gave it everything I had but the putter just didn’t heat up enough this week. @carnoustiegolf was a class venue & can’t thank @AIGinsurance enough for their incredible support of women’s golf! Congrats to @ANordqvist on a great win! 🇪🇺 pic.twitter.com/3KZKXAwEFm
— Leona Maguire (@leona_maguire) August 22, 2021
The least Monday Monday of the year! 14year old me had a big dream and it’s been quite the journey since that ‘09 JR Solheim cup but today we made history!! So excited to represent @SolheimCupEuro 🇪🇺🇮🇪🇪🇺🇮🇪🇪🇺 #cantseecantbe pic.twitter.com/2AZiZnB4Ab
— Leona Maguire (@leona_maguire) August 23, 2021
"I’m really excited, it is something that I have looked forward to," said Maguire.
"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.
"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."
This year's Solheim Cup takes place at the Inverness Club in Toledo, Ohio between September 4th - September 6th.
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