It was a gruelling week for Cavan golfer Leona Maguire who finished her Olympic journey at 23 over par and near the bottom of the leaderboard.
Despite a tough weekend for Maguire that saw her fail to record a round under par in the opening three rounds, the Cavan native had a gallant final round, improving her score significantly and finishing the day in 71 strokes, one under the course par.
However, despite the improvements today, they did little to soften Maguire's final score, after her 78, 79, and 83 scores in the opening three rounds at Le Golf National, with Maguire revealing she would've thought about withdrawing had she not been representing her country.
After the uncharacteristic showing from one of Ireland's most accomplished female golfers, Maguire offered an inspiring interview that quickly revealed why she was struggling and how she found the motivation to fight back and put on her final round display.
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Leona Maguire gives inspiring interview after final round fightback
Speaking to RTÉ in the aftermath of the tournament, Maguire explained why she struggled so severely in the opening days of the tournament, revealing if it wasn't for the Irish crowds she might have withdrawn altogether.
"If it was any other week I probably wouldn't have played but it's the Olympic Games." - Leona Maguire reveals that illness limited her on the golf course this week
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I felt absolutely rotten the last few days and I know that wasn't the golf that I was capable of but it was one of those things if it was any other week I wouldn't have played this week but its the Olympic games and representing Ireland there's biggest honour so its one of those things you don't give up until the very end even if it seems like it's too far gone.
It was as much a point to prove to myself today, I knew I could handle this golf course, but an under par round on this golf course, I'll take that any day.
They've (The Irish Crowd) have been fantastic, these have been some of the crowds we've seen, so many tri-colours, so many jerseys, and to be honest if it wasn't for all the support I probably would've thought of packing it in, but I think it's been phenomenal.
The resilience in Leona's interview undoubtedly shone through in her final round at Le Golf National, where she improved her round by a phenomenal seven shots, showcasing exactly what she's capable of when she's at full strength.
While Maguire's final finishing place will be dependent on the finishing groups, she currently sits in 59th place at the bottom of the leaderboard, 20 shots off her Irish teammate Stephanie Meadows who finished the tournament 6 over par.
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