Maguire to face Korda for Match Play title in Las Vegas as McIlroy trials by 10 in Texas
Leona Maguire will be seeking to tap into her well of positive Solheim Cup memories when she faces world number one Nelly Korda in the final of the T-Mobile Match Play in Las Vegas today (2155 Irish time).
The Co Cavan star (29) holds a 3-1 record against Korda in foursomes and fourballs when wearing the European colours but she’s never gone head to head in matchplay with the American, who is bidding to become the first player to win four LPGA starts in a row since Lorena Ochoa in 2008.
“I guess when you grow up with a twin sister, you're all pretty competitive,” said number one seed Maguire, who beat Thailand’s Ariya Jutanugarn 4&3 in the quarter-finals at Shadow Creek before eliminating Sei Young Kim 3&2 in the semi-finals.
“We were always competing against each other, playing little matches.
“Yeah, match play is a lot of fun. It's even more fun around this golf course, and excited that I get one more day around here.”
As for Korda, she said: “Yeah, ultimately, you're going to have to play some really good golf.
“You are just going to have to go out and shoot a score, and if it's good enough, it's good enough.
“For me, yeah, Nelly is obviously the heavy favourite tomorrow. I have nothing to lose, so go out with some freedom and just try and play as well as I can.”
Maguire could not be happier with her form with the season's first major, the Chevron Championship set for the week after next.
“Yeah, either way, whatever happens tomorrow I think I'm incredibly proud of the way I played this week,” said Maguire, who led the qualifiers by three shots after 54 holes of strokeplay and is now seeking a $300,000 payday and her third LPGA Tour win.
“Really happy where my game is at, and I think we couldn't have asked for a better preparation leading into Chevron.
“So, yeah, we'll get through tomorrow first, and then rest, recover, and sort of fine-tune a few things, and get ready for Houston next week.”
As for playing Korda, Maguire has her share of fond memories but she’s also under no illusions about the task she faces.
“Yeah, she's the best player in the world right now,” she said. “She's arguably playing the best golf of her career, and it's going to be one hell of a challenge.
“It's exciting. That's been the theme of the week, is to embrace the challenge of the golf course and embrace whatever challenge Nelly brings tomorrow.
“Obviously, her length is an advantage around here. She'll be able to take on some of the carries that I won't. I guess I'll just stick to my game plan and plot my way around.
“It was good enough in stroke play, so we'll see if it's good enough tomorrow.
“Nelly is the best in the world right now. She's on a really hot streak. It's been incredibly impressive what she's been doing in the past few weeks.
“It's going to be a really tough battle tomorrow. I've got a big challenge ahead of me.
“I'm excited. I mean, that's why you practice. You want to play the best players in the world and that's what Nelly is.
“Yeah, hopefully we have a great match tomorrow.”
Korda beat Angel Yin 3&2 and Narin An 4&3 in the semi-finals, but she knows she has her work cut out against Maguire.
“I think it's a brand new day,” Korda said. “I know she's going to be fiery. That's just how Leona is.
“She's a great competitor. I think it'll be great to share the stage with her and hopefully, it'll be a good show.”
She added: “I'm excited. I think match play is so fun. It brings out something different with golf.
“It's 1 v. 1. You don't get to do that. When I play tournaments, I think of it more me playing the golf course.
“Match play is a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to going home, but, yeah, I'm excited about the finals tomorrow and excited about the golf that I've been playing because it's been a lot of fun.”
Maguire added: “Yeah, I think every round around here is a brand new day. Me and Nelly have our gone head to head a couple of times. But either way, it's going to be a lot of fun tomorrow.
“Like I said, she's playing some unbelievable golf right now. This entire week has been all about embracing the challenge. Early in the week that was the golf course, it was the weather. Tomorrow, it will be whatever Nelly brings.
“I have a huge amount of respect for her and excited to get to go up against her tomorrow.”
In her two single matches at the Solheim Cup, Maguire has finished the victory before stepping onto the 16th tee. In 2023, she faced Rose Zhang and won 4&3 while in 2021, she faced Jennifer Kupcho and won 5&4.
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy goes into the final round of the Valero Texas Open ten strokes behind Akshay Bhatia.
The world number two opened with a double bogey six in his third round at TPC San Antonio and had to birdie his last two holes to shoot a level par 72.
He’s bidding to win the Masters and the final leg of the career grand slam next week and will be looking to head for Augusta National with positive vibes today.
He lies tied seventh on five-under-par, but Bhatia leads by four from Denny McCarthy and by seven from Brendon Todd on 15-under after his third-round 68.
