Leona Maguire questions if golfing schedule can be changed for 2028

Michael Bolton

Leona Maguire says it was an "up and down" year for the Cavan golfer as she reflected on her 2024.

As 2025 approaches, Maguire is taking some time for herself in what was a 2024 with a packed schedule.

Maguire made history as she became the first Irish women's golfer to win a European tour event, but it wasn't to be in the majors or the Olympics.

"It was a up and down year as a whole. The highlight was probably that win in London, that was a goal at the start of the year to try and get a LET win under my belt.

"I would have liked to have played better in the majors this year, didn't quite play as well as I would have liked. Been an up and down year, but still fairly consistent.

"Made a lot of cuts, still made the tour championship. Didn't quite have my A-game as often as I would have liked this year, but felt like I managed a lot of events and squeezed some good golf in there at times."

Along with the majors, the 30-year-old also had to manage the Olympics and Solheim Cup, a tournament which Maguire grabbed the golfing world's attention in previous years.

However, it was not to be for Europe this time around, as the USA were winners on their home tournament

"It was a tough task on our hands, on American soil up against one of strongest teams America had in a long time.

"Going for four in a row, we knew it wasn't going to be an easy task, it has never been done before for a reason. At the same time, it was an exciting Sunday, it would have been one hell of a comeback if we pulled it off.

"It makes the wait for the Netherlands in two years time that bit more dramatic and makes you want to be part of the next one again."

From five majors, to the Solheim Cup to the Olympics, it was a year of huge moments for women's golf.

Unfortunately for Maguire, illness struck at the wrong time for the Cavan woman in France, as she says she would have liked to have added to Ireland's medal tally.

"It was a very busy summer. We had four majors, an Olympics and a Solheim Cup in a two month span. You are watching the Irish team doing so well and there was such a buzz around, you want to be part of that, you want to add to the medals and the success.

"It wasn't to be for me in Paris, that is golf, that is sport. It can't go your way all the time. I didn't have my A game, didn't really have my B game that week.

"There was so many Irish people there, probably one of the biggest crowds I have ever seen."

With so many events on in such a short space of time, it can be difficult to plan the year on the course. 2028 will see a similar problem, with majors, Solheim Cup and the Olympics all likely to be within a short space of time.

While it may be four years away, Maguire has doubts if the scheduling can be changed.

"I think it is tough. We play so many events all year, we are different to other sports who have a world championships and an Olympics and fit everything around it.

"I don't know if there is a better way to do it. There is people a lot higher up the food chain than me making those decisions.

"I don't know what they are going to do for LA, there it talk of a mixed event potentially getting added, which would make it a longer event.

"There is a lot of golf to be played between now and then."