KPMG tees off into a new horizon with Leona Maguire
KPMG is teeing off into a new horizon as it announces a four-year extension to its existing partnership with Irish professional golfer, Leona Maguire. Having been one of the first commercial deals signed by Maguire when she turned professional in 2018, KPMG has remained a proud supporter of the Cavan golfer ever since and today’s announcement represents a long-term commitment which will see Leona remain a KPMG ambassador as she progresses into the next stage of her career.
In addition to its sponsorship of Leona, KPMG also sponsors the Irish Kids Golf Tour as part of its grassroots to high performance investment in Irish golf. The tour, which is open to girls and boys aged from 6 to 13 years old, takes place from June until August each year and features some of the best young golfers in Ireland.
2021 was a stunning season for Maguire, having started the year ranked 177th in the world rankings, Leona now sits at 40th securing eleven top 15s over the course of the season, including a T-6th finish at the Evian Championship in July where she shot a record low round of 61. She was also selected as part of Team Ireland at the Olympic Games in Tokyo this summer, which was her second Olympic appearance.
The highlight for Maguire came at the Solheim Cup in September, after being selected as a captain’s pick for the European team, she played a starring role as Europe claimed only their second victory on US soil in the Inverness Club in Ohio. Leona’s singles victory over Jennifer Kupcho gave her four-and-a-half points from five matches – a record for a rookie – paving the way for Europe’s 15-13 success. To cap the year off, Leona was also nominated for the prestigious RTÉ Sports Personality of the Year Award.
Now, Leona’s focus is firmly on the 2022 season which she will begin on January 27th at the Gainbridge LPGA in Boca Raton Florida. The tournament will see Maguire line up with some of the world’s best golfers including defending champion and world number one, Nelly Korda.
Leona Maguire said, “I am really grateful to KPMG for their continued support of me and my career. I have enjoyed working with KPMG since turning professional in 2018 and I am really excited to see what the next four years has in store for us. 2021 was a tremendous year for me on the golf course and it gave me such confidence to have the backing of KPMG every step of the way. However, 2022 is a new year and a new season, so I’m looking forward to getting back on the course and proving what I can do once again.”
KPMG Managing Partner in Ireland, Seamus Hand said, “Leona is an outstanding role model in Irish sport and we’re proud to continue our support of her ambition. Investing in young Irish talent is at the core of our business, and our people continue to be inspired by the success Leona has achieved as our ambassador. It was a very proud moment for all of us in KPMG to see Leona lift the Solheim Cup. We wish Leona all the best for what’s next, and look forward to seeing her in action on the course in 2022.”
Leona is joined on #TeamKPMG by fellow professional golfers and KPMG ambassadors Phil Mickelson, Stacy Lewis, Mariah Stackhouse, Maverick McNealy, Klára Spilková and Ólafía Kristinsdóttir.