CAVAN NATIVE LEONA MAGUIRE is planning for 'an even better 2023' after coming second in the CME Group Tour Championship in Florida last weekend.
The 27-year-old has ended the event two shots behind victor Lydia Ko on Sunday. She ended her round of level-par 72.
Speaking to ASAP Sports., Maguire said: “Obviously I would have loved to have won, but four years ago pretty much this week I missed Q school by a shot. I drove by that exit on Sunday driving down here, and to be here today in this position, it’s a big jump forward.
“It’s been an incredible year. It’s been my best season so far, and I’ve got better every year. Looking forward to the offseason now and hopefully I can have an even better 2023.”
Despite coming second, Maguire is delighted with her performance in Florida.
“If you had offered me second at the start of the week, I would have grabbed it with both hands."
Leona Maguire finishes two shots off the lead at the CME Tour Championship https://t.co/uIEYrYq9nQ
— TrendRadars (@RadarsTrend) November 21, 2022
“It would have been nice to play a little bit better today, but it was really tough out there today. The wind was strong. It was cold. Pins were tricky.
“Didn’t play the way I played yesterday, but grafted really well. Had some really key up-and-downs to keep me in it and keep a little pressure on Lydia, but she played really solid all day today and she’s a deserving winner.”
Next up for Maguire is the LET Tour Championship in Spain before the Christmas holidays come around.
“I’m off to Spain next week for the LET Tour Championship and then home for Christmas, home to Ireland for Christmas for about four weeks, which will be nice. Then back to Orlando to get ready for Tournament Champions in January.
“I’m really proud of how I did in the big events this year. The majors, US Open, British Open in particular, and then finishing off this was almost like a mini-major to finish off the season.
“So I wasn’t maybe quite as consistent as last year, but I had some really big finishes in some big events, so I'm really proud of the year overall.”
