The new pros are the first women to join Niall Horan's management company
Irish twins Leona and Lisa Maguire have joined Modest! Golf's growing stable of players after turning professional following glittering golfing scholarships at Duke University in North Carolina.
Leona, who was No.1 on the World Amateur Golf Ranking for a record 131 consecutive weeks, and Lisa made their professional debuts at the Shoprite LPGA Classic, with Leona bagging $25,000 for finishing T15.
The 23-year-old sisters have received many sponsorship deals upon turning pro, including KPMG – the global professional service company that has invested in other golfing stars such as Phil Mickelson, Stacy Lewis and Ireland's Paul Dunne – while other brand associations include Allianz, Puma Golf clothing and Ping golf equipment.
Originally from Ballyconnell, County Cavan and the Slieve Russell Hotel Golf and Country Club, the Maguire sisters were long expected to join the professional ranks after enjoying illustrious amateur careers.
Lisa put aside her personal aspirations to caddie for her sister at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016, when Leona was one of only three amateurs to qualify for the return of golf to the Olympics.
Leona then went on to win the 2017 Ladies British Amateur Championship and won nine times on the US College circuit, as well as two National ‘Player of the Year' titles while at Duke's and an All-America selection.
Lisa, meanwhile, was selected as ‘Athlete of the Year' by the National Strength & Conditioning Association and acclaimed by Duke coaches for her determination and prowess.
Niall Horan, superstar entertainer and member of the Modest! Golf management team, said: "I'm thrilled and very proud that Leona and Lisa have become the first Irish players to sign with the Modest! Golf management stable.
"They've both represented Ireland at junior and senior amateur level with distinction and we're confident that they'll take the professional LPGA circuit in their stride and raise the profile of Irish golf even further."
Modest! Golf director Mark McDonnell added: "We're determined to build on our strong Irish connections, which include our promotion of the Northern Irish Open on the European Challenge Tour in August this year at Galgorm Castle, plus the NI Amateur Open in July at the same venue."
