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Paul Dunne has a good head on his shoulders, he knows how to handle this situation -- Maguire

The world number one amateur also found herself in contention among the pros recently.

Golf - The Open Championship 2015 - Day Five - St Andrews PA Wire / Press Association Images PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images

IRELAND’S WORLD NUMBER one amateur Leona Maguire has backed her male counterpart Paul Dunne to stay the course in today’s final round of golf’s Open Championship.

The 20-year-old phenom came agonisingly close to completing a template for amateur success in the pro ranks with her second place finish at the British Masters earlier this month.

unnamed (2) Leona, left, and twin sister Lisa Maguire at Grand Canal Dock today. Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

With Dunne sharing the lead at St Andrews, the Wicklow man is in a different situation to Maguire who was able to stay under the radar on her way up the leaderboard. But the Cavan woman is confident her fellow collegiate star can back up his incredible performance in today’s delayed final.

“I was in a similar enough situation,” the world number one and now AIG ambassador told The42 today.

Paul has a good head on his shoulders. I think he’ll do well today. It’s all about staying calm in that sort of situations and playing your own game. He’s played enough at those big events, he knows how to handle himself in that situation.

“I’d love to see him do well today. It would be great for Irish golf and a great way to kick-start his career as well.”

Leona Maguire tested her skills in the AIG Insurance Summer Splash event today. AIG Insurance announced up to 15% discounts on their car, home and travel insurance products, to members of sporting clubs across their sponsorship partners. Click here for more information.

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