Golf

Leona Maguire becomes first irish golfer to win on LPGA tour

Leona Maguire holds the winner's cup after winning the LPGA Drive On Championship golf tournament at Crown Colony Golf & Country Club                                                           Picture: Steve Nesius/AP 
Leona Maguire holds the winner's cup after winning the LPGA Drive On Championship golf tournament at Crown Colony Golf & Country Club Picture: Steve Nesius/AP  Leona Maguire holds the winner's cup after winning the LPGA Drive On Championship golf tournament at Crown Colony Golf & Country Club Picture: Steve Nesius/AP 

LEONA Maguire has become the first Irish golfer to win on the LPGA Tour.

The 27-year-old from Ballyconnell in Co Cavan carded a five-under-par 67 in the final round of the 54-hole competition at the Crown Colony Golf and Country Club in Florida.

Maguire, playing in her 50th LPGA tournament, finished on 18 under par to win by three shots from Lexi Thompson.

She went into the final round tied for the lead with American Marina Alex, four strokes clear of Brittany Altomare, Stacy Lewis and Sweden's Linnea Johansson, but pulled away on the back nine with a majestic display of ball-striking.