Leona Maguire makes solid start to LPGA Drive On Championship defence

Leona Maguire is four shots off the early lead at the LPGA Drive On Championship after a solid opening round to the defence of her title in Arizona.

The Cavan native claimed her first win on the LPGA Tour at the tournament last year - the first Irish player to achieve that feat - when it was held in Florida.

This time at the Superstition Mountain golf club course, Maguire carded a 70 which leaves her on two under.

Starting on the back nine, Maguire birdied the 11th and moved up to two under with another on the second after embarking on the front nine.

A bogey on the fourth held her back briefly but a birdie on six quickly remedied that setback.

As things stand with the late starters on course, Taiwanese player Wei Ling Hsu currently leads the way on six under after a 66 which featured an eagle on the first.

She is one clear of a seven-player group which includes Maguire's 2021 Solheim Cup team-mate, Carlota Ciganda of Spain.

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