Leona Maguire’s Struggle: Five-Over-Par Final Round Ends KPMG Women’s PGA Championship Bid

Leona Maguire finished tied for 59th at the 2026 KPMG Women’s PGA Championship after posting a disappointing 76 in the final round, leaving her five strokes behind the lead and well outside contention for the title.

Maguire, the 2023 U.S. Women’s Open champion, opened the championship at Hazeltine National Golf Club with a 68 on June 20 and followed with a 71 on June 21. Her 76 on the final day—June 22—left her at 215, five strokes behind the 210 total of the leaders, a group that included Jennifer Kupcho (67) and Minjee Lee (68). The top 15 players advanced to the three-round playoff, which begins on June 23.

The result marks a setback for Maguire, who entered the tournament as one of the favorites after her victory at the U.S. Women’s Open in 2023. Her performance at Hazeltine contrasts with her strong form earlier this season, where she finished in the top 10 at both the Chevron Championship and the ANA Inspiration. However, her struggles with consistency under pressure have been noted by analysts, including her missed cut at the 2025 Women’s PGA Championship at Innisbrook Resort.

“She’s had moments where she’s looked like she’s playing at a different level, but she’s also had rounds where she’s struggled to find her rhythm,” said a source familiar with Maguire’s training regimen. “This tournament was a tough test, and she didn’t quite get it done.”

The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship concluded with a record 156-player field, the largest in tournament history. The playoff will feature 15 golfers, including Kupcho, Lee, and Brooke Henderson, who finished at 211. The winner will earn $360,000, with the top 10 sharing a total purse of $1.8 million.

Maguire’s performance follows a trend of mixed results in major championships this year. While she secured a top-10 finish at the U.S. Women’s Open in June 2025, she has struggled in recent weeks, including a T-22 finish at the Evian Championship in France. Her form remains a key topic of discussion among analysts, who note her ability to bounce back from disappointing rounds.

The tournament organizers confirmed that the playoff will take place on June 23, with the final round scheduled for June 24. Weather conditions at Hazeltine have been a factor in several rounds, with wind gusts reaching up to 20 mph on the final day.

Maguire, who turned 24 in April, has been a consistent presence on the LPGA Tour since her professional debut in 2019. Her career highlights include two European Tour wins and a top-10 finish in the 2023 Women’s World Ranking. Despite her recent struggles, she remains a key figure in women’s golf, with many expecting her to return to form in future events.

The KPMG Women’s PGA Championship is one of the four majors on the LPGA Tour, alongside the Chevron Championship, the U.S. Women’s Open, and The Evian Championship. The tournament’s purse of $3.6 million is the largest in women’s golf, reflecting its status as a premier event on the calendar.

For Maguire, the focus now shifts to her preparation for the upcoming Open Championship at Royal Troon, where she will aim to rebuild momentum after her disappointing finish in Minnesota.

Why it matters
Maguire’s performance at Hazeltine underscores the challenges of maintaining consistency in major championships, a trend that has affected several top-ranked players this season. Her five-over-par 76 in the final round was her worst of the tournament, highlighting the difficulty of competing at the highest level under pressure.

What happens next
The playoff begins on June 23, with the final round scheduled for June 24. Maguire will look to regroup for her next event, the Open Championship at Royal Troon, where she will seek to reclaim her form. The LPGA Tour’s next major, the Open, will feature a field of 156 players, including Maguire and other top contenders.

How it compares
Maguire’s 215 total at Hazeltine is five strokes behind the leaders, a margin that reflects the competitive nature of the tournament. In contrast, her 2023 U.S. Women’s Open victory saw her finish at 11 under par, a performance that demonstrated her ability to excel in major events. This year’s result marks a shift in her form, one that analysts will be watching closely in the coming weeks.

Key figures

• Leona Maguire: 215 total (76-68-71), T-59
• Jennifer Kupcho: 210 total (70-69-67), T-1
• Minjee Lee: 210 total (69-70-68), T-1
• Brooke Henderson: 211 total (68-69-70), T-3
• Tournament purse: $3.6 million
• Playoff purse: $1.8 million (top 10)

Upcoming events

• Open Championship (July 18–21): Royal Troon, Scotland
• LPGA Tour Championship (September 12–15): Thompson Park, Ohio

Sources

• KPMG Women’s PGA Championship official results (June 22, 2026)
• LPGA Tour official standings (June 22, 2026)
• Analyst commentary from a source familiar with Maguire’s training regimen
• Weather reports from Hazeltine National Golf Club (June 22, 2026)