It was a riveting first day at the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – London, as Ireland’s Leona Maguire showcased her golfing prowess with a stunning seven-under-par 66 at Centurion Club, seizing the solo lead.
In an unexpected turn of events, the world No.8 and tournament favourite, Charley Hull, had to withdraw after just six holes due to a persistent shoulder injury, compounded by a recent bout of illness.
The physiotherapist’s decision left Hull on the sidelines, creating a golden opportunity for others to shine.
Maguire, however, had no intention of letting this chance slip. Her flawless performance, marked by four birdies on the front nine and three on the back, plus an impressive save on the 18th, set her apart. Her efforts secured a one-shot lead over Austria’s Sarah Schober.
Maguire’s excellence extended beyond her individual performance. She propelled her team to the top of the leaderboard, tied with Team Hall and Team Iturrioz at 14-under-par, as they head into the final day of team competition.
World No.32 Maguire, gearing up to represent Ireland at the Summer Olympics in Paris, lauded her team, which included Liz Young and Marta Sanz Barrio.
“We were all making a few birdies out there which definitely helps,” said Maguire.
“We have a nice atmosphere in the team which made it more comfortable out there.”
Nuria Iturrioz, currently T3 on the individual leaderboard, bolstered her team’s standing with four birdies on the front nine.
“We are happy,” said the Spaniard. “We played really well and we’re a really good team, we have good vibes, and we’ll keep going tomorrow.”
Sarah Schober, rebounding from a missed cut at last week’s VP Bank Swiss Open, delivered a remarkable six-under-par round featuring seven birdies, placing her just one shot behind Maguire.
“I’m just very happy that today, everything came together and clicked,” said Schober.
“I want to keep doing what I’m doing. There are still two days to go so I’m very relaxed and just want to enjoy it out there with the ladies.”
As the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – London continues, the stage is set for an exhilarating showdown, with golf’s elite vying for top spots in both the Individual and Team competitions.
