Leona Maguire was just 12 when she took part in her first senior tournament. Now, 18 years on, the Cavan woman shares her career highlights, the sports stars who supported her, and her hopes of inspiring the next generation of golfers at the Women’s Irish Open

“I was definitely out of my comfort zone,” Leona Maguire admits of her Life magazine fashion shoot at Carton House. “It was fun to try on all the outfits, and to have a stylist for the day – all the hair and make-up. It was a departure from my usual polo tops, hats and all the rest. It’s nice for people to see a different version of me.”

The version of Maguire that most sports fans are familiar with is a steely competitor on the golf course, and a player gifted with an excellent short game. She’s a Solheim Cup star and this country’s best hope for a major in the women’s game. The Cavan woman is only 30, but has been on the golf scene for two decades.