FEATURE - Tee for two as Irish twins reach for the cup

Published>Fri, May 07 10 06:48 AM

A painful accident six years ago proved a lucky break for identical twins Leona and Lisa Maguire and paved the way for the Irish teenagers to become the most exciting prospects in women's golf.

Next month, in Boston, the 15-year-olds will become the youngest players to represent Britain and Ireland against the United States in the Curtis Cup -- the most prestigious team event in women's amateur golf.

For those in the know it is no surprise.

After all, since they were first given a pitcher and a putter as nine-year-olds the Maguires have taken the junior and amateur ranks by storm, stacking the shelves in the family home in Ballyconnell with silverware.

Only Michelle Wie has played in the Curtis Cup at a younger age, making her debut as a 14-year-old, and the progress of the Maguire twins is already drawing comparisons with the American whose much-hyped professional career has yet to catch fire.

A better benchmark would be Rory McIlroy, the Northern Ireland whizzkid who last week became the first player to win a PGA Tour event before his 21st birthday since Tiger Woods.

Like McIlroy, who turned professional at 18, the Maguires are in no hurry although they both dream of the day when they battle each other down the 18th for a major.

The Maguires' golfing journey began in unlikely circumstances in 2004 when both swam competitively. Lisa broke her elbow in a fall and as part of her rehabilitation her father Declan took her and her sister to the local golf course.

Immediately they were hooked and he liked what he saw.

PROFESSIONAL GOLF

Just a year later they played in the Junior Masters in La Manga in Spain with Lisa winning and Leona finishing as runner-up. The following year at the under-12 world championships at Pinehurst, North Carolina, Lisa won by five shots with rounds of 68, 68 and 65 with Leona a very creditable third.

As 12-year-olds, the pair got their first taste of professional golf when they were invited to play at the Northern Ireland Open -- both of them narrowly missing the cut. Even McIlroy did not play his first European PGA Tour event until he was 17.

"To play at 12 in a Ladies European Tour event was incredible," their coach Shane O'Grady, who has polished their natural talent, told Reuters.

"I teach a lot of good players because that's my speciality as a provincial coach with the Irish Union. When they came to me as 10-year-olds they were already playing off 20 handicaps.

"After a couple of sessions I realised the difference was their dedication. I hadn't seen that before in kids that age."

Being twins, a natural rivalry has developed between Lisa and Leona who practise together and could play foursomes in the Curtis Cup. While fiercely competitive, they also give each other great support, especially when playing dad.

"That can get quite serious," Leona said. "He still thinks he knows what to do but family pride is at stake. We normally win but he gets a few shots now. We don't want dad to have the bragging rights for too long."

"With Lisa and I, when we are playing tournaments we are rivals but if I can't win I want her to bring the trophy home to the house and it's the same for her. The goal is to turn pro and play the LPGA Tour and battle each other for majors."

SHARED HONOURS

They are closely matched and share the honours between them, with Leona winning the French Under 21 Amateur tournament for the last two years. From June 11 to 13, however, it is all about the team.

"We were over the moon when we found out we were in the Curtis Cup team," Leona said. "It's a great honour and a privilege and the pinnacle of women's amateur golf. I'm delighted and relieved that all the hard work paid off."

Leona said Padraig Harrington's success in winning three majors had been a huge motivation for her and Lisa, who both took part in the opening ceremony at the Ryder Cup at the K Club in 2006 when they also met Woods and Sergio Garcia.

"(Harrington) is a huge role model for myself and Lisa," she said. "What he has achieved over the past few years is phenomenal.

"He was pleased that we still go to school and told us that the discipline we had for sitting exams at school would be the one that takes us through into professional golf."

The Maguires, with Declan and mother Breda, both teachers, and eight-year-old brother Odhran, have become used to six weeks on the road every summer. It is very much a family adventure and an expensive one at that.

"Yeah, we've mortgaged the house a couple of times but we want to give them the best chance," Breda said. "It's amazing where we've come from and their dream is to play professionally but that won't happen now...they are far too young.

"They are quietly confident and very dedicated but also like the normal things that girls like. Michelle Wie's situation was very different but people have their own reasons. I certainly would never voice my opinion about other people's children."

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