Leona Maguire's parents 'delighted' after golfer's Tour win

The parents of Cavan golfer Leona Maguire say they're delighted and relieved to see their daughter get across the line and secure a win at the Drive On Championship in Florida.

Leona became the first Irish winner on the LPGA Tour yesterday, after shooting six birdies to hold off the challenge of Lexi Thompson and card a round of 67 for a 54-hole total of -18 to take home the winner's cheque of $225,000.

"You always hope that it will happen but until it does you don’t believe it," said Leona’s father Declan Maguire today.

The family all gathered at their home in Ballyconnell last night to watch the competition.

"There was great excitement. We had a lot of friends and family calling over. Now it was hard to sit and watch it, we were hoping and praying and all of that but it was absolutely brilliant," added her mother Breda Maguire.

After Leona finished her media work last night she phoned her parents and they spent some time talking on the phone.

"She’s so happy. She was over the moon when we were talking to her," said Breda.

"You knew by her, it was a relief. She paid tribute to Dermot her caddy, he kept her so calm and she kept hanging in there," Declan said.

Among those to pay tribute to the golfer was President Michael D Higgins, while social media has been alight all day with messages of support.

Congratulations to @leona_maguire for her historic achievement in becoming the first Irish @LPGA Tour winner at the Drive On Championship. Another fantastic Irish sportswoman leading the way internationally.

"She really appreciates the support she gets. Last night she told us she had so many messages and she was trying to answer as many of them as she could".

There’s no doubt there’s more to come for Leona Maguire.

"Golf has been huge