Maguire, Valenzuela share low-amateur honors at Women's Olympic Tournament
Lydia Ko (L) presents Mark H. McCormack Medal to Leona Maguire
at the Olympics
(Photo Courtesy of The R&A)
RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (August 20, 2016) -- The men's Olympic field might have lacked a little punch but in a Women's Olympic Tournament field with many of the top players in the world Leona Maguire and Albane Valenzuela both finished 2-under, tied for 21st and shared low-amateur honors.
Maguire, representing Ireland, finished her week at the Olympic Golf Course with a 2-under 69. Once more Maguire got off to a strong front nine start with birdies on the 3rd, 4th and 6th holes to turn in 3-under 32. The Duke junior faltered a bit on the homeward nine with a pair of bogeys but she was able to finish her Olympic week on a positive note with a birdie on the closing hole.
For Maguire the week began by receiving her second consecutive Mark H. McCormack Medal. The award is presented to the leading women in the World Amateur Golf Rankings in 2016.
Maguire had the low amateur round of the week with a 6-under 65 in Thursday's second round.
Valenzuela of Switzerland completed her Olympics with an even-par 71. On the front nine Valenzuela bogeyed two of her first four holes before settling into her round. On the par-4 9th hole Valenzuela provided some fireworks by holing out for an eagle two.
The final nine for the incoming Stanford freshman included two birdies and two bogeys.
Representing Hong Kong Tiffany Chan finished with a round of 2-under 69, to complete her week 4-over and in 37th.
The USC sophomore got her only under-par round of the week off to a quick start with three birdies in her first five holes. Chan did give a stroke back with a bogey on the 7th but got it back with a birdie on the next hole.
After turning in 3-under 32 Chan dropped back to even-par for the day with three bogeys before finishing well thanks to birdies on Nos. 15 and 18.
Inbee Park (-16) of South Korea won the golf medal, Lydia Ko (-11) of New Zealand earned silver while Shanshan Feng (-10) of China took the bronze.