Leona Maguire’s opening 66 at the Buick LPGA Shanghai, the first of the late-season LPGA Asian swing events, has her just four shots off the lead in a tie for fourth, and though the Cavan native hit 12 of 14 fairways and15 of 18 greens, she believes that it was the hard work she’s been putting in on the practice putting greens that was the big difference maker.
“Gave myself a lot chances, hit a lot greens, and putted really nice,” she said. “The greens are a little bit unpredictable, but felt like put some really good strokes on it.
“Yeah, I’ve been doing a lot of work on my putting lately so nice to see a few go in today.”
Following the disappointment of only playing a bit part in Europe’s Solheim Cup defeat but maintaining her 100% singles record, Maguire feels that her game has been better than the results have shown with T37 and T45 finishes.
“Yeah, I mean, trying to be patient the last few weeks,” she said. “Felt like I played some really good golf in Cincy and Arkansas and didn’t quite put four rounds together.
“No, it’s nice to get off to a start here. My first time in Shanghai, so nice to get the sort of Asian Swing off to a good start.”
Going from the United States to Asia can often throw up additional hurdles for the players to navigate, but the golf course at Qizhong Garden is one that suits Maguire’s game and requires less transition than others in the region.
“Yeah, I think it’s a little different,” Maguire explained. “Usually when we come to Asia getting used to the grasses can be quite tricky for me.
“Coming to bermuda it’s a little bit more similar to what we’re used to, but it is — it’s that sort of almost (indiscernible) bermuda. It is tricky. Sometimes you’re on the fairway but you may not have the best of lies, so it’s just sort of reading the lie and picking your shots.
“There is a lot of 9-woods and hybrids for me, which I quite like. Yeah, just felt like played really solid today.”
Unsurprisingly, her gameplan isn’t changing for the remainder of the tournament.
“Yeah, just more of the same. Just trying to hit as many fairways and greens and try and take advantage of as many chances as I can.”