‘We’ll be back’ says thankful Leona

Leona completed with a final day score of 74 to tie for 11th on -4.

It was “not to be” says Leona Maguire of her attempts to score historic back-to-back wins on the KMPG LPGA tour, but Cavan golfer still says there are “plenty of positives” to take from the experience.

“Thanks everyone for all the support, we’ll be back,” Leona Tweeted after failing to capitalise on her well-earned one-shot lead heading into the final round at Baltusrol, in Springfield, New Jersey, on Sunday.

She completed her round with a final day score of 74 to tie for 11th on -4.

The Ballyconnell native pocketed over €154,000 for her incredible efforts, which had seen her card in the 60’s each of the other days.

All eyes were on Leona hoping she could build upon her fantastic victory at the Meijer Classic the previous week.

If she did win at Baltusrol Leona would have added her name to an illustrious list of golfers to win a major after winning the previous event. Others include Nelly Korda, Lydia Ko, Inbee Park, Jiyai Shin, Yani Tseng.

Heading into the final day Leona was one shot ahead of South Korea's Jenny Shin and Northern Ireland's Stephaine Meadows, the Cavan woman’s former Solheoim Cup playing partner.

Antrim native Meadow was in scintillating form on the last day of matchplay, but it was not enough to stop China’s Ruoning Yin lifting her first major title.

Instead she took home almost €390,000 in prize money after finishing in a five-way tie for third with Carlota Ciganda, Anna Nordqvist, Megan Khang and Xiyu Lin.