South Africa's Alexander wins Women's Irish Open to claim second LET title

Casandra Alexander held her nerve to win the KPMG Women's Irish Open at The K Club in Kildare securing a wire-to-wire victory and the second Ladies European Tour title of her career.

The 27-year-old South African, who had been runner-up five times on tour this season without a win, closed with a final round of 70 for a 20-under-par total of 268, finishing three shots clear of the Czech Republic's Sara Kouskova.

Alexander set the tone early in the week, carding a course-record 63 on the opening day at the Palmer South course, which she followed with a 66 to build a five-stroke halfway lead. That advantage was trimmed to three after the third round, and she began the final day shakily, dropping shots at each of her opening two holes. She steadied with three consecutive birdies between the fifth and seventh, restoring her cushion despite a brief weather suspension of around 25 minutes.

Finland's Noora Komulainen, competing while unwell, finished third, one shot further back. Home favourite Leona Maguire, playing her last event before the Solheim Cup, matched her best Women's Irish Open finish with a tied-fourth alongside Sweden's Louise Rydqvist, who recorded her best LET result to date.

Speaking after the win, Alexander said the victory carried extra weight given how close she had come on previous occasions this year, and reaffirmed that topping the season's Order of Merit remained her main goal.

The win extends Alexander's lead at the top of that standings table, adding to the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open title she claimed in 2025. * SOURCES: Ladies European Tour, The Irish Times, RTÉ Sport, Irish Golfer Magazine.*