There is change atop of the Ladies European Tour (LET) Order of Merit once again heading into this week’s Lalla Meryem Cup following Casandra Alexander‘s fifth runner-up finish of the season in Hamburg.
The big-hitting South African made an incredible Sunday charge at the Amundi German Masters firing a final round 67 (-6) to finish one shot behind winner Leonie Harm.
“I definitely take last week’s result,” Alexander said on another close call. “A lot of people are saying, ‘ah, second place again,’ but each one that I’ve got have all come from different places. Last week I was completely out of it until the final day then a good final round pushed me up into second place. If I had come fifth, nobody would have said anything. We did well to get into contention again while not playing my best golf. Hopefully I can get a win soon and everyone can move on.
“I’ve done a great job this year of putting myself in good positions even when I haven’t played my best so I’m happy. I’m pleased for Leonie [Harm] too – really cool story and to be fair she grafted for that win birdying 17 and 18. It was very impressive and she deserved it.“
It is a result which sees Alexander trade places with France’s Agathe Laisne at the top of the season-long race for the fourth time already this season. Ahead of this week’s 29th staging of the Lalla Meryem Cup in Morocco, Alexander is determined to keep her foot firmly on the gas and extend her tally at the top of the table.
“It’s been a yo-yo at the top,” the 26-year-old said. “She [Laisne] didn’t play last week and I’m not playing Jabra [Ladies Open de France] so it will even itself out. Once again it’s just about keeping up those good finishes and getting as many points as possible to create a gap at the top of the Order of Merit.”
Alexander’s fifth runner-up of the season has also moved her to 34th in the Rolex Rankings as she continues her ascent up the world standings. A one-time LET winner, she will be the highest ranked player teeing up once again at this week’s Lalla Meryem Cup.
“The last few years have been like going from primary school to secondary school,” Alexander said on her rapid rise. “Small fish in a big pond to big fish in a small pond. I’ve done my hard graft on the LET and worked my way up. The next goal is the LPGA where I’ll be a a small fish in a big pond once again. Life is about getting better and challenging yourself. You have to work hard and that’s what I’ve done here on the LET.”
While the South African has also been boosted by having a new caddie on the bag since April – longtime LET looper Douglas Pirie from Scotland.
“Having Doug has been great,” Alexander said. “It’s been a fun partnership so far, we’re always teasing each other on the golf course. A few people have messaged me saying I look like I’m having more fun on the course – it must be because of Doug’s terrible jokes! But no, it’s been fun and I’m looking at everything more positively.”
The Order of Merit leader gets underway at the 2026 Lalla Meryem Cup at 12:45 local time on Thursday playing alongside last week’s winner Harm and defending champion Cara Gainer from England. She expects a tough but fair test for all on Royal Golf Dar Es Salam’s Blue Course.
“I really enjoy the course,” Alexander said. “I think it’s in great condition. The greens are really pure. Especially compared to the last few years. I mean they’re always really good but this year they’re especially pure. If you hit a good putt it will stay on line. The course is definitely tough and it’s treelined so starting lines are really important.
“And I always enjoy playing with Cara [Gainer]. She’s got a great short game and is fun to be around. She has an impressive game so playing with her and Leonie [Harm] should be fun.”
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