By: Max Bechtoldt
When looking at the short games on the LPGA Tour, it is harder to find players who aren’t elite around the greens than ones who are. LPGA fans are spoiled watching the best players in the world create magic on a weekly basis. One that has created that level of magic on debatably the biggest stage, is Leona Maguire.
While Maguire’s chipping stats are elite, I think the most interesting aspect of her short game is how she takes a finesse skill, and makes it explosive.
Of course, you can’t talk about Maguire without talking about the Solheim Cup. Maguire has probably cemented herself recently as the best modern Solheim Cup player, both for her record but also her ability to hit shots like her electric chip in on 18 to beat Lexi Thompson and Lilia Vu.
Statistically, Maguire No. 9 in strokes gained around the green in 2022, and No. 5 in 2023. She is the only player to finish in the top 10 in the last two years. Her scrambling percentage in 2023 was No. 6 on tour at nearly 64%.
While many would think of Lydia Ko as having the best short game in women’s golf, she has a different spot in this series coming soon. It is hard to get better than what Maguire has done with her short game in her young LPGA Tour career.
