After taking part in Team Europe’s loss in the Solheim Cup, Leona Maguire entered the Kroger Queen Championship with a point to prove. After the first round, she is tied with World No. 1 Nelly Korda in fourth place with a score of 5 under par.

However, Leona Maguire was quick to do some damage control after last week, denying that this is a response to being benched and everything that happened with Team Captain Suzann Pettersen. When asked whether she was sending a message about what happened last week, Maguire said, “No, I mean, me and Suzann are on very good terms. I have a lot of respect for her. She did what was best for the team.”

While seemingly disappointed with her omission last Saturday, Maguire had previously expressed her team-first attitude and reiterated the same, though she also hinted that she believed she should’ve played. She said, “I would’ve been happy to sit out every match if it meant we brought back the trophy. I knew my game was in good shape. Showed that in the singles last week, and just trying to finish off the season as strong as I can.”

It would seem that her belief in herself and her form on the course point towards possible mismanagement on the part of the Solheim Cup team captain. Suzann Pettersen has only said that she went with her gut on who to pick and does not regret her decisions.

As captain, Suzann Pettersen does have to take responsibility for her team’s loss, and Maguire, though trying to be as diplomatic as possible, still seems to disagree with her captain regarding her omission. She has proven that she is quite capable of taking on any golfer in the LPGA.

Leona Maguire’s form in the LPGA Tour

Despite her recent setbacks, Maguire has had a decent year in golf. She has four top-15 finishes in 17 tournaments and ranks eighth in strokes gained around the green. She also has five top-25 finishes this year.

However, a win still eludes her. With several tournaments still to go, she could secure one by the end of the season. For now, she has expressed a more positive outlook for the coming days, saying, “Trying to be a bit kinder to myself and enjoy my golf a little bit more. Build off the momentum of last week.” And it may pay off, as she has a good chance of finishing in the top 10 of the Kroger Queen City Championship.