Golf will be the easy part of busy Irish Open week for Leona Maguire

The world number 84 will be one of a record 16 Irish players to tee off on Thursday at this year's Women's Irish Open. The large Irish field takes some responsibilities off Maguire's shoulders. 

When Leona Maguire considers how much the  Women's Irish Open has grown over the past three years, it makes the extra effort she'll put in this week worth it. Pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

After stepping off the 18th green of her final round of last year’s KPMG Women’s Irish Open, Leona Maguire found herself among a throng of children looking for autographs and selfies. How many she signed and how many pictures she posed for, she’s not sure. It didn’t stop once she got back to the clubhouse.

“You're just trying to do as many as you possibly can,” says Maguire.