Casandra Alexander comes into this week after producing her best-ever finish in a major at last week’s AIG Women’s Open.
The South African qualified for the final major of the year, which was taking place on the Old Course at St Andrews, through Qualifying on Monday.
Alexander then carded rounds of 73-68-73-72 to finish in a share of seventh place and secure a top 10 finish.
“It was a goal to get in in any case, unfortunately it came down to Qualifying but I played well there, and it gave me good confidence for the week,” said Alexander.
“It’s been unreal. I have tried to keep it as lowkey as possible and just another week, but it is special and playing well really just gives me good confidence.
“This year has been back and forth about playing LPGA Q-Series, staying on the LET, I’m in that space in my career and at that age. I think this week gave me a lot of confidence knowing I’m supposed to be out here, I’m comfortable out there and I can play well.
“I still have lots of work to do, I don’t have a W next to my name this year, but to know I’m competing with the best in tough conditions is a big confidence builder. A lot of work went into getting me to this point.”
The 25-year-old from Johannesburg had ankle surgery last December but has been very pleased with how she’s been playing since then.
She changed coach in January to Grant Veenstra and the duo have been trying to put in the work while Alexander has been playing on the LET.
With such a good result at the AIG Women’s Open, the South African is looking forward to the rest of the year including at this week’s KPMG Women’s Irish Open.
“A lot of confidence, a lot of good things happening,” she continued. “It shows that me and my team are working on the right things and good things will come. You’ve just got to stay on the train tracks and eventually, we’ll get to the destination.
“We’ve got so much work done in six months while playing on Tour because six months of prepping and six months of playing on Tour are two completely different things.
“In the last six months, I’ve maybe had six weeks of actual work with Grant. He’s done unbelievable things. I’m really happy and good things are coming.”
Alexander will tee it up in the first round at Carton House at 8.48 am (local time) alongside England’s Georgia Hall and Spain’s Marta Martin.
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