When my game is firing on all cylinders I know I can be right in the mix – Leona

The Cavan golfer – a former member at Castle Hume and Slieve Russell – secured a wild card pick for the European side after a recent run of impressive form, and jets back to the United States on Monday after a short time at home on Monday to prepare for the prestigious tournament.

Leona and her twin, Lisa, were in attendance when the Ryder Cup came to Ireland in 2006, and they both took part in the Junior Solheim Cup in 2009 and 20011. She admits that playing in the event was a long-held ambition.

“You grow up watching the Ryder Cup, and I went to the Solheim when the main event was in Killeen Castle in 2011,” she recalled.

‘Something special’

“It was tight and competitive, and to see Europe win it in the latter stages of the singles, it gave me the impression that it was something special and something that you would like to be involved with in the future.

“Ten years later, it has come full circle.”

Leona has a spell of stunning recent form to thanks for her call-up – a period that included a record-equalling 61 low round in a Major.

“It has been on the radar recently with a couple of good finishes, a second in Hawaii and a second in Michigan during the summer,” she acknowledged.

“The round of 61 in Evian probably sealed it somewhat.

“I played a practice round with Catriona Matthews, the Captain, at the British Open, and she said to me that it was in the plans to pick me.

“It was obviously something that was on the radar, but I knew the golf would take care of the selection without being overly focused on it.”

The 26-year-old had a glittering college career and was ranked as the world number one amateur before progressing into the professional ranks and on to the LPGA tour, where she is starting to establish herself as one of the best.

Six months ago, her world ranking was 177, but recent results have catapulted her up to a career high of 43.

“I think everything is starting to line up,” she said.

‘A step up’

“I am getting used to playing out in the LPGA, and I am getting more comfortable. It is definitely a step up from amateur golf, and a step up from Symetra Tour golf, and it did take me a wee while to find my feet and get comfortable with the new standard of play, but over the last couple of weeks I feel like I can compete with the best of them out there.

“When my game is firing on all cylinders I know I can be right in the mix.”

She is still searching for her debut LPGA Tournament win, but she is not obsessing about that target just yet.

“I am just trying to build up my work ranking,” she stated. “We have seven or eight world events remaining this year, and there is plenty of golf to be played even after the Solheim.

“A win would be really good before the end, but it’s just about getting more comfortable playing and trying to assert myself on that level, as I have done at every other level.

‘Next stage’

“The next stage for me is to do that at LPGA level. I feel I have proven to myself that the standard of golf is there, and now it’s a matter of getting everything to click on any given week.

“You need to hole putts and that can be the difference, because that can add up to four or five shots by the end of the week. It’s definitely not far away, and it is a hell of a lot closer than it was this time last year, or even February time. Everything is trending in the right direction.”

Despite focusing on the American-based LPGA tour, Leona still tries to get back home as often as possible when her schedule allows.

“With Covid, I didn’t get back, but if I have a two week break I generally do come home,” she revealed.

“We spend a lot of time on the road and a lot of time in hotel rooms, so it’s always nice to get home to your own bed when I can.

“I am home all this week and then away to America on Monday for Solheim. They are all flying visits at this stage, but I do try to get home and see everybody and catch up.

“I haven’t been down to Castle Hume in a wee while, but I will maybe try to get down again when I get a break.

“I do spend a good bit of time at the Slieve Russell, and on the par three course like we used to when we were younger. It has stood to us over the years!”

Support

And when she does come back to familiar ground, she is never left in any doubt about the support for her from this side of the Atlantic.

“I’m always getting message from people back at home.

“I know around the time of the Olympics, mum and dad were sending me pictures of people with flags up and posters up, and people recording messages.

“It’s always great to have the local home support and people have always been very good in their support down through the years.

“It’s very encouraging, especially when you are away from home for long periods. It’s nice to come back to where you are from and know the people are behind you.”