ISPS HANDA WOMEN'S SCOTTISH OPEN

July 24, 2025

Leona Maguire

Dundonald Links

Quick Quotes

Q. Well-played, what a great start.

LEONA MAGUIRE: Couldn't really ask for a better start. Holed out with a 9-iron on 10, our first hole today in pretty much perfect conditions for most of the front nine. Tried to take advantage of that as much as I could.

Q. Something similar at Evian last week also got you going?

LEONA MAGUIRE: Absolutely. It's always bonus when those sort of shots go in and hit the flag even on 18 as well with my pitch in. My approach is nicely dialed and first week, put in a new caddie. He was joking, he might as well have walked in after the first but nice start to the feedback.

Q. Few people like getting up early, early start today, good day to start early with the wind down?

LEONA MAGUIRE: I think you never mind being one of the first out on links. Always try and take advantage of the more benign conditions where you can. So, yeah, took advantage of them and try and build on the momentum tomorrow.

Q. You must be pleased with your form at the minute?

LEONA MAGUIRE: I had obviously been playing well coming into the Irish and it was a busy week and a bit tired and all the rest but I suppose the energy of the crowd and all that sort of spurred me on as well. Try and ride the momentum coming off Evian last week.

Q. How do you feel like links golf suits your game?

LEONA MAGUIRE: I like it. I grew up playing quite a lot in our amateur days and stuff like that. Don't get to do it often anymore. Played some golf at Ireland week and went to Portmarnock, that was nice prep. This is not the firmest but you still have to be creative with the wind and things like that. Hopefully the course will keep drying out as the week goes on and we'll get more linksy.

Q. You mentioned a new caddie. It's not any other caddie. How did that come about?

LEONA MAGUIRE: Yeah, I mean, he was working for Thorbjørn who is also at my management company and just set it up. He's a legend of the game. He's caddied for some big players. I have big shoes to fill but nice to have his expertise and experience on the bag. Yeah, his first time on the ladies, so still a little bit of a learning adjustment for both of us but I think we handled it pretty well day one.

Q. Couple of weeks, see how it goes?

LEONA MAGUIRE: Yeah, so far so good. Take it one day at a time and see what we can do.

Q. A calm start --

LEONA MAGUIRE: Yeah, that's the defense of a lot of links courses is that wee bit of wind and we kind of got that on our last five holes when we turned to come in. I think bit by bit, sort of you hope for good prep ahead of Porthcawl next week. So the more sort of linksier conditions the better.

Q. Concentrating on your game but Lottie Woad's name is up there. Remarkable what she's doing.

LEONA MAGUIRE: Yeah, impressive. She's obviously riding the crest of a wave, and I played with her first two days of Evian. She's a great player and it's an exciting week, her first professional start.

Q. A lot of similarities with you when you came through the amateur ranks and big things were expected.

LEONA MAGUIRE: Yeah, absolutely. I'm sure there's quite a bit of pressure on her holders but hopefully she's surrounding herself with some good people. You saw with Rose Zhang a couple years ago, she got off to a very hot start, too. There will be a lot of new things for her the next few weeks and months but I'm sure she's well able to handle it.