NORTH LAS VEGAS, Nev. –
Leona Maguire won two more games Saturday at Shadow Creek to advance to the semi-finals in the Bank of Hope LPGA Tournament.
Seventh seed Maguire, from Ireland, drew American Lindsey Weaver-Wright 3 and 2 to make it 5-0. Maguire will face Japan’s Ayaka Furue, who won third seed Celine Boutier of France 2-1.
In another semi-final on Sunday morning, Sweden’s Linn Grant will face Thailand’s Pajaree Ananarukarn. Grant beat Switzerland’s Albane Valenzuela 3 and 1, and Anannarukarn beat Spain’s Carlota Ciganda 3 and 2.
Maguire won the LPGA Drive On 2022 championship in Florida for her only LPGA Tour title. She defeated Perrine Delacour 5 and 3 in the round of 16.
“It was really fun to get through 36 holes today,” said Maguire. “It was great to be in the semi-finals. Played a really solid golf game today. Maybe a little cranky this afternoon, but know there’s going to be a fight out there and it’s just a case of patience. Well, done enough to make it through tomorrow.”
Furue, the sixth seed, won the 2022 Trust Golf Women’s Scottish Open championship for her only LPGA Tour title.
“It was fun to win today,” Furue said. “Today’s match was really tough and tough, two innings.”
Eight seed Grant is undefeated on the LPGA Tour. The Swede starred in the State of Arizona.
“It’s stressful to play match play,” Grant said. “You’ll be very happy to get that win, and right now I’m really happy and excited for tomorrow.”
Anannarukarn, seeded 36, won the ISPS Handa World Invitational 2021 in Northern Ireland for her only LPGA Tour title.
“Just try to stay in the present moment,” says Anannarukarn. “That’s what I did well and I’m glad I can focus on that.”
