The twins tee up in their first professional event on Friday

Lisa Maguire and her twin Leona finished first and third in last year's World Under-12 Championship at the world-famous Pinehurst in the US.

And two handicapper Lisa comes into her first professional event after reaching the semi-finals of last week's Irish Amateur Championship.

Leona didn't do too badly last week either because she reached the matchplay stages before losing at the 19th in the first round against eventual champion Karen Delaney.

A week on and the two girls, who invariably are kitted out identically on the fairways, are taking the attention at the Hilton Templepatrick venue all in their stride.

"We have nothing to be worried about at this stage. We just go out and play golf," insists Leona who plays off three.

We're on sponsors invites and it would be great to get some more in the future Leona Maguire

But that's not to say they don't realise their good fortune in gaining invitations to the �135,000 purse event.

Adopting media skills which Tiger Woods would be proud of, Leona talks about the "great privilege" that they have been given.

"We're on sponsors invites and it would be great to get some more in the future."

Well, if you don't ask, you won't get.

Lisa is enjoying being the "centre of attention" ahead of the 54-hole event which starts on Friday.

"We don't get it that much in the other events but here it's really special," the Irish Amateur Championship semi-finalist adds.

Asked about their identical designer golf gear, Lisa hands the responsibility on to Mum.

"Whatever Mum takes out of the wardrobe in the morning, we have to put it on."

And if there are any sisterly scraps, the BBC is not going to hear about them.

In-form Nikki Garrett is in the field for this week's event

"We are in the same class at school so we're good friends too," says Lisa, matter-of-factly.

Leona adds that they push each on to practise ever harder.

"It's great to have someone to practise with when you're on the golf course."

Last year, Lisa beat off more than 800 competitors from 30 countries in North Carolina to become the Under-12 World Champion while Leona finished joint third.

The twins, who are members of the Castle Hume and Slieve Russell clubs in Fermanagh and Cavan, were also chosen to bring the Ryder Cup Trophy to the stage during the presentation ceremony after Europe's win at the K Club last September.

Australian Nikki Garrett, who won back-to-back Ladies European Tour wins earlier this month, and Sophie Sandolo were among the players on Thursday backing the inclusion of the twins in the event.

"I've seen them on the range and they have good swings. It's excellent that they are playing this week," says Sandolo.

"I think it's great. It's raising the profile of the Tour and this week's tournament so I'm all in favour," adds Garrett.

The Hilton Templepatrick field will also include England's Rebecca Hudson, Frenchwoman Gwladys Nocera, England's Trish Johnson plus talented youngster Kiran Matharu who is in her first year on the Ladies European Tour.

In addition to the Maguire twins, other Irish hopefuls include tour regulars Rebecca Coakley, Claire Coughlan and Martina Gillen plus Blackwood's Debbie Hanna and K Club teaching professional Lynn McCool.