South Africa's Casandra Alexander emerged as the champion of the rain‑soaked KPMG Irish Open, delivering a commanding performance throughout a challenging week in County Kildare. After finishing as a runner‑up on five occasions this season, the Ladies European Tour’s top‑ranked player finally broke her string of near‑misses with a wire‑to‑wire victory that was highlighted by a record‑low 63 on the opening day at The K Club's Palmer South Course. Alexander opened her round with birdies on three of her first four holes and never looked back, posting a final score of 20‑under par.
Her margin of victory was three strokes over Czech Republic's Sara Kouskova, with Finland's Noora Komulainen a further shot behind. The win not only gave Alexander her first tournament triumph of the year but also underscored her consistency and mental toughness in adverse conditions.
Irish hopeful Leona Maguire was the highest‑placed local player, finishing fourth and five strokes shy of the lead. Her performance contributed to a historic showing for Irish golf, as the event featured a record nine Irish professionals and seven Irish amateurs – the strongest home representation ever recorded at the Irish Open.
Weather played a central role from the start. Saturday’s third round was suspended for 45 minutes as heavy rain drenched the Palmer South Course, and the final round’s closing par‑five was shortened on Sunday to accommodate the wet conditions.
Despite the interruptions, Alexander maintained her composure. She did stumble briefly on the first two holes of the final day, dropping shots that hinted at vulnerability. However, she quickly regained control with three consecutive birdies beginning on the fifth hole, rebuilding her cushion and steering the tournament back toward her inevitable triumph. "This one is really special," Alexander said after her win.
"It’s a special event, and I feel the second win is as important as the first because it’s not a fluke! I can’t wait to get home and celebrate with friends and family. The Order of Merit is goal number one, and the best way to win the Order of Merit is to win tournaments like this." Maguire’s final round began seven strokes behind the leader, but she carried momentum from her own 63 earlier in the week – a round that featured nine birdies and no missed shots, completed before the heaviest rain hit on Saturday.
On Sunday, she energized the home crowd with four birdies in a five‑hole stretch around the turn, propelling her to 15‑under. Unfortunately, the surge was followed by six consecutive pars and a dropped shot on the shortened 17th, before she finished with a birdie on the final hole. Her fourth‑place finish ties her best result in the Irish Open, a mark she previously set at Dromoland Castle in 2022. "It’s been a great week," Maguire reflected.
"The crowds have been fantastic, rain, hail or shine. I think it’s another very successful Irish Open in the books and the fans really made it this week. Nice to get a couple of low ones over the weekend.
Friday was the one that got away but overall, 15‑under par is a very solid week’s effort and nice to be able to give the home fans something to cheer about." Maguire’s timing could not be better, as she was named one of Anna Nordqvist’s captain’s picks for next month’s Solheim Cup. The selection arrives after a season in which she missed the cut in four of five majors and has gone two years without a victory.
A top‑five finish on home soil suggests her form is clicking at the perfect moment. Over three Solheim Cup appearances, Maguire has compiled an 8‑3‑1 record and was the leading scorer for Europe’s unbeaten rookie team in the 2021 victory. Her experience made her the sole veteran among Nordqvist’s four picks, which also include debutants Julia Lopez Ramirez of Spain, Nastasia Nadaud of France, and Mimi Rhodes of England. Both the LPGA Tour and the Ladies European Tour will observe a brief pause before the 20th edition of the Solheim Cup, scheduled for Bernardus Golf in the Netherlands.
Team Europe will look to reclaim the trophy from Team USA. The opening ceremony is set for Thursday, September 10, at 4 p.m. on Sky Sports+, followed by comprehensive coverage across all three days on Sky Sports Golf.
Live broadcasts begin at 6 a.m. on Friday, September 11, and continue with two sessions each day, culminating in a 9 a.m.
singles showdown on Sunday, September 13. Golf fans can also access the latest Sky Sports deals or stream the action without a contract via NOW.