- Casandra Alexander cards final round 62 (-10) to win maiden LET title
- South African chips in for eagle on the 18th at Royal Beroun to secure two-shot victory
Casandra Alexander can now call herself a Ladies European Tour (LET) winner after the South African chipped in for eagle on the 18th at Royal Beroun to card a course record 62 (-10) and win the Tipsport Czech Ladies Open.
On a chaotic final day in the Czech Republic, Alexander, six back before the start of play, went bogey-free carding six birdies and two magnificent eagles to secure a two-shot victory on 17-under par.
“It’s very special,” Alexander said. “It was a great round today and I’m very happy. I think you can see what it means. It’s been years of hard work. The last two weeks have been a bit of a struggle so it’s nice to know my patience paid off.”
As the leading group struggled to find birdies on the final round, Alexander capitalised at the low-scoring Royal Beroun going out in 31 (-5) to storm into contention. This was followed by a birdie at the 10th before two more at the 15th and 16th to help her draw level with overnight leader Kim Metraux from Switzerland.
Then, fireworks on 18. Having hit her second shot into the par-5 through the back of the green, Alexander chipped in for eagle to draw jubilant scenes with her caddie Charlie.
On the impressive eagle, Alexander said: “I hit my second shot a little long so I said to my caddie, let’s not overcomplicate things. Let’s hit the basic chip shot that we need to hit. I fancied it, and when I hit it, it was a bit of a slow motion moment. I’m so happy it dropped.”
Having set the clubhouse target on 17-under par, her opponents were unable to match the tally – Spain’s Luna Sobron Galmes coming closest with a chip-in eagle attempt of her own on 18 – giving Alexander the breakthrough victory. With the Sunday heroics, the South African lands her maiden LET title and qualifies for The Amundi Evian Championship next month.
“Qualifying for Evian was the goal coming out these last few weeks,” Alexander said. “I think I lost sight of that the previous two weeks, so this week I’m glad I got the job done. It sounds good to be a winner on the Ladies European Tour. It’s been years of hard work. It’s very special and it hasn’t sunk in yet.”
The win was made even more impressive given Alexander sat T94 after the first day of action following an opening round of 73 (+1).
“I think I overcomplicated it the first round,” she explained. “I mean, 18-under in two days is pretty impressive. I was fighting for my life out there to make the cut yesterday. So I’m unbelievably happy to walk away with the win.”
On top of that, the 25-year-old secures the win just two months on from tearing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
“It was difficult,” Alexander said. “I was coming off a high playing well on the Sunshine Ladies Tour plus the Joburg Ladies Open and Investec SA Women’s Open. I played great golf and then all of a sudden got the injury. You tell yourself you’ve got to be patient, but it’s difficult when you know you’ve done well. Eight weeks without touching a golf club, for us, is a long time. I’m really chuffed.
“My husband has been with me through it all since the beginning. This is our win. It sucks he’s not here but I appreciate all his love and support throughout the journey.”
In second place on 15-under par finished the before-mentioned Sobron Galmes and English rookie Esme Hamilton. Sobron Galmes carded a final round 67 (-5) to match her best LET result while Hamilton, competing in only her sixth event, recorded her best finish to date.
In a tie for fourth finished Metraux, France’s Perrine Delacour, Wales’ Darcey Harry – both of who qualify for The Amundi Evian Championship – Spain’s Nuria Iturrioz and Germany’s Laura Fuenfstueck.
In the LET Order of Merit, Alexander jumps into fourth position on 1,180.23 points. England’s Mimi Rhodes still leads the way on 1,610.38 points.
Next up on the LET is a trip to Hamburg for the Amundi German Masters. Follow all the action from the on our socials – @LETgolf on Instagram, TikTok and X, and Ladies European Tour on YouTube and Facebook
