2018 AIG Women’s Open champion Georgia Hall believes Leona Maguire has what it takes to win a major championship in the next few years.
Hall, who rose to glory at Royal Lytham for her maiden major title, highlighted Maguire’s mental toughness as a key aspect that is needed to get over the line in major championships.
It’s been a disappointing season for Maguire in the major championships, missing three out of five cuts, and no finish inside the top-20. But Hall insists that the Cavan woman has proven that on her day she can beat anybody and thinks her best chances will come at the Evian and AIG Women’s Open Championships.
“Leona has definitely got the game to become a major champion for sure, her mentality is second to none and I think she’s one of the strongest mental players out there,” said Hall, 28. I played with her quite bit this year. Her short game is fantastic, one of the best.
“It wouldn’t surprise me if she won a major int he next few years. I think golf is a bit up and down for all of us and if she has her week there’s no reason why she can’t win.
“Especially a major in Europe I think is probably more suited to her.”
Hall is very well placed to talk about Maguire’s prospects having partnered her in the last two Solheim Cups with the pair winning two from two in four balls.
It is expected that Suzann Pettersen will pair them up again at some stage in next month’s contest as Europe look to hold on to the cup for a record fourth successive edition and Hall views Maguire as a crucial cog in the wheel.
“She’s definitely the most feisty player that we have on the team. She wins a lot of her matches just on her mentality I think.
“She’s got a 75% record in our matches I played with her twice in both her Solheim’s and we’ve been unbeaten in four balls, our games blend together quite well in that format and it’s great to be a partner in that.
“It’s hard to get a word out of her! She’s very intense and very serious but that’s the way you have to be when you’re out here.”
The Englishwoman has had a mixed season herself having slipped outside of the top-40 in the Rolex World Rankings after just one top-10 all season.
She needed a wildcard pick from Pettersen to ensure she would make a fifth successive appearance for Europe.
“A different experience for me relying on a pick. I thought I was automatic until Esther (Henseleit) kind of had a really good run the last couple of weeks but she’s a fantastic player and I’m obviously really excited to make my own fifth appearance for Europe and try and get that trophy for the fourth time in a row.”