NW ARKANSAS CHAMPIONSHIP

September 19, 2025

Leona Maguire

Pinnacle Country Club

Quick Quotes

Q. All right, here with Leona Maguire after her first round at the Walmart NW Arkansas Championship Presented by P&G. 7-under bogey-free round. Just briefly walk us through your round today. 17 of 18 greens being 13 greens. Great ball striking day out there.

LEONA MAGUIRE: Yeah, feel like my game has been in good shape for the past couple months. It's nice to start off with a low one here. It's sort of make a lot of birdies or get left behind. I think the goal the next few weeks was to start hitting more greens. So far so good on that one.

Just coming off two weeks at home which has been really nice to rest, recharge, and get ready for the last stretch. It's nice to kick off with a low one after that break.

Q. I heard from some players that the course is deceivingly tight. Do you think that helps your game being one od the straighter hitters?

LEONA MAGUIRE: Yeah, I mean, I wouldn't call it one of the tighter one, which is nice. I suppose I can hit -- with it being so soft I can hit pretty much driver most places around here. You want to give yourself as many short irons into the holes as you can.

I think probably one of the advantages I have is I don't spin it maybe as much as some of the other girls do. With all the rain yesterday going in with wedges, you really have to control your wedges and short irons, not zipping them back too much.

So, yeah, for the most part did that really well today. Hit some really close ones and holed a few nice putts. Overall a fairly stress-free day.

Q. How cool was that last stretch of holes, 17, 18 with the stadium feel coming down the stretch?

LEONA MAGUIRE: Yeah, I mean, even Sarah and I were talking about it on the 18th tee. It's nice to have a real buzz around, especially on a Friday. There is a lot of people out. Yeah, that's sort of amphitheater on 17, people cheering, and then 18 is an exciting finish. See some exciting birdies there to finish.

So, yeah, overall this golf course is a lot of chances out there but if you get out of position, not so much. Yeah, you want to take advantage of those holes when you can.