Casandra Alexander is off to a strong start at the U.S. Women’s Open presented by Ally opening with a round of 70 (-1) in the trickier afternoon wave to sit T14 through 18 holes of action.
The big-hitting South African arrived at The Riviera Country Club full of confidence leading the Ladies European Tour (LET) Order of Merit with five runner-up finishes to her name.
Her fine form continued on Thursday in Los Angeles as she carded three birdies and dropped just two shots at golf’s toughest test to position herself inside the top-15.
Solheim Cup winner Jennifer Kupcho leads the way after an outstanding 66 (-5) on home soil.
“If you can have a red number at the U.S. Women’s Open you’re doing something right,” Alexander said. “I’m really happy with that start.
“The greens started to firm up this afternoon. My back nine, the actual front nine, was pretty tricky. Especially down wind it was releasing a lot so it was all about landing it in the right positions. I think I did well to make some clutch putts today. I made a couple awkward ones between three and six feet for par which were very important. The minute you start missing those you’re suddenly two or three over.
“Surprisingly the nerves were better than I thought. I think I had more nerves in the practice round playing with Nelly [Korda]. On the first tee with her I was thinking, ‘just don’t top it!’. So I think I felt ok. I think I wasn’t nervous because I know I have prepared really well. I was so excited to finally tee off because the preparation had all been done. If I wasn’t ready today I never would be. I was more nervous over some of the clutch putts I made but overall I was ok.”
Alexander’s one-under par at a tricky track feels even more sweeter given she signed her card late into the windy afternoon. The World No 31 will now look to add more birdies to her scorecard on Friday as she tees up in the morning wave at The Riviera Country Club.
“100% [I’ll look to make some more birdies tomorrow],” the South African said. “I said to Dougie [my caddie], I’m really happy to have gotten the afternoon round out of the way. The wind doesn’t blow as much in the morning and the greens will be softer in the morning so it’s going to play easier.
“Let’s just hope the pin positions give us half a chance of that because a couple of the closing holes can be difficult otherwise. I’ll definitely look to take advantage in the morning.”
Alexander tees off for round two at the U.S. Women’s Open presented by Ally at 7:40am local time.
