Maguire aiming to emulate McIlroy at Congressional

Leona Maguire is aiming to take inspiration from Rory McIlroy this week as she targets a first major win at the Women's PGA Championship at Congressional Country Club.

The Northern Irishman announced himself fully on the world stage just over a decade ago by winning the men's event by eight shots at the course.

He would go on to claim three more majors, but the victory at the course in 2011, considered the best ever by an Irish golfer, sticks out firmly in Maguire’s mind.

She begins her challenge this evening, with Stephanie Meadow one of the early starters in the afternoon.

Maguire said: "I was watching on TV (for the 2011 win).

"I still remember him. He kind of blew the field away that week, so I don't know if anybody is going to do that this week, but, yeah, it would be nice to be coming down 18 with a few shot lead like he had, but he obviously was on a very hot streak at that point.

"Really the only part of the golf course I remember was 18. I know it's obviously been redesigned, but yeah, that was a pretty cool week for him. Hopefully I can do something similar."

"I've been playing nice the last few weeks.

"Obviously not the finish I would have liked on Sunday, but if you had offered me a 65 at the start of the day, I would have gladly taken it; putted really nice on Sunday and had my irons dialled in. More of the same really this week. A bit of a different test, though."

Maguire is taking the long-term approach to her tournament, with a view to sticking around the head of the leaderboard throughout the week in order to be in a position to strike on Sunday.

She said: "I think just putting myself in contention as much as I can.

"I mean, the field is pretty much the same as it was last week, apart from Jin Young is here. There