L-R History makers — Leona Maguire, Annabel Wilson and Olivia Mehaffey with the ILGU's David Kearney and Sandra Barnett.
The trio of Annabel Wilson, Olivia Mehaffey and Leona Maguire made history on Saturday when won bronze for Ireland in the World Amateur Team Championships in Mexico.
Ireland’s previous best finish since abandoning the GB&I model in 2006 came in Argentina in 2010 when the team was Danielle McVeigh and the Maguire twins Lisa and Leona finished tied 11th.
But with Slieve Russell star Leona now ranked No 1 in the World Amateur Golf Ranking, Royal County Down Ladies' Olivia at No 5 and up-and-coming Lurgan talent Annabel showing she’s a star of the future, Ireland came out on top in a final day battle with Denmark to take third place behind runaway winners Korea and silver medalists Switzerland at Mayakoba El Camaleon Golf Club in Playa del Carmen.
“I’m just so proud of them,” said Ireland’s national coach, David Kearney. “We have got three amazing girls there, just incredible girls.
"They are all very serious about their golf and they work incredibly hard all year round when they are not at tournaments. I’m just delighted for them, they are three terrific girls. It’s just brilliant.”
All three Irish players recorded their best scores of the week as Ireland came from behind to take a medal on seven under par 569 — 146 (Mayakoba Course), 141 (Iberostar Course), 145 (Iberostar), 137 (Mayakoba) — just one stroke behind second placed Switzerland and only one ahead of Denmark.
Leona closed with a bogey-free, three under 69, finishing tied sixth in the individual standings as Olivia (T15) had six birdies in a four under 68 and Annabel (72) made two birdie twos in level par 72.
The Republic of Korea romped to victory by 21 strokes on 29 under par with Hye jin Choi (67) winning the individual honours by two shots from Denmark’s Puk Lyng Thomsen with Min Ji Park and Swiss Kim Metreaux tied third on nine under.
“It’s interesting because we had no goal of any position for the finish but we just took each day at a time and we set ourselves up to have the best day we could,” Kearney added.
"I think the girls had their own space to prepare the way they wanted to and get ready for it. They just did their thing then and it was so easy to be with them, they are just super players.”
Since opting to compete as Ireland and not part of GB&I teams, Ireland has finished tied 23rd (2006), 24th (2008), tied 11th (2010) and tied 15th (2012).
A bronze medal was a fitting reward for Leona Maguire, who tied for 21st in the Olympic Games and may well have played her last tournament for Ireland as an amateur as she plans to enter the LPGA Tour's Qualifying School next month.
from News - Irish Golf Desk http://ift.tt/2cyUnpN
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