LAST DAY KO FOR MAGUIRE’S CME BID

LEONA MAGUIRE secured a runners-up finish at the season’s ending CME Group Tour Championships in Florida yesterday.

The $7 million purse was one of the largest in the history of the LPGA Tour with the winning prize of $2 million never seen before in the women’s game.

Lydia Ko (inset) took home the historic winnings as a result of a fine final round of 2-under par while Maguire (left) carded a level par round and had to settle for second place – and a cheque of $550,000 (€531,630).

Maguire began the day in a tie for the lead after a stunning 63 on Saturday. But three pars to begin yesterday’s round was followed by a birdie to get Maguire to 16-under par. The 27-year-old gave that shot straight back with a bogey on the 5th.

Eleven pars in the next 13 holes with a single birdie and bogey to split up the stalemate left Maguire on 15-under par.

But New Zealander Ko kept her cool, birdied two of the last three holes and took home the title.

Meanwhile, in Georgia, Waterford’s Seamus Power finished fifth at the RSM Classic – four shots behind Adam Svensson.