Maguire twins set to steal show at Knightsbrook

Portugese Ladies champion Leona Maguire and her twin sister Lisa, the current Spanish Ladies Champion, will lead the Irish challenge at the inaugural Irish u-18 Girls' Open Strokeplay Championship at Knightsbrook Hotel Spa and Golf Resort next Saturday and Sunday. The 54-hole tournament, a first for Ireland, has attracted the cream of Europe's under-age golfing talent. Up for grabs are valuable Ping Junior Solheim Cup ranking points with the biennial event due to take place at the same venue later this year. The Maguire's, playing off a plus four handicap from the Slieve Russell club, are currently enjoying a magnificent run of form but will face stiff opposition from the high-quality international field which includes France's exceptionally talented Manon Gidali and Celine Boutier who also play off plus four. Alexandra Peters (England) and Ursa Orehek (Slovakia) tee up off plus three. A further nine players from the continent play off plus two and 16 players have entered off plus one. Lisa Maguire currently leads the PJSC rankings followed by Emilie Alonso (France), Leona Maguire, Noemi Jimenez Martin (Spain), Emma Nilsson (Sweden) and Antonia Scherer (Germany). Six of the top nine players with PJSC ranking points will be in action at Knightsbrook in Ireland's strongest ever gathering of such talented girl golfers. The 72 competitors will play 36 holes on Saturday with the top 60 players qualifying for the final round on Sunday. The ILGU will also use the Championship to give Junior High Performance players Jessica Carty (Holywood), Victoria Craig (Clandeboye), Hannah Henderson (Ballyclare), Olivia Mehaffey (Royal Co Down Ladies), Chloe Ryan (Castletroy) and Niamh Ward (Lurgan) valuable experience playing among Europe's elite. Spectators of all ages are welcome to avail of the complimentary admission over the weekend.