Casandra Alexander from South Africa emerged victorious at the rain‑soaked KPMG Irish Open, delivering a commanding performance throughout a challenging week in County Kildare. After finishing as runner‑up five times this season on the Ladies European Tour, Alexander finally broke through with a wire‑to‑wire triumph, highlighted by an astonishing course‑record 63 on the opening day at The K Club's Palmer South Course. From the first tee she set the tone, birdieing three of her initial four holes and never looking back. She closed the tournament at 20‑under par, three strokes ahead of Czech Republic's Sara Kouskova, with Finland's Noora Komulainen a further shot behind.
Alexander's dominance was evident in every round, as she consistently posted low scores despite the unpredictable weather that threatened to derail the event. Leona Maguire, the Irish favorite, finished as the top home player, landing in fourth place five strokes off the lead. Her performance contributed to a historic showing for Irish golf, with a record nine Irish professionals and seven amateurs entering the field – the strongest home representation ever recorded at the Irish Open. The tournament was a battle against the elements from the start.
Heavy rain on Saturday forced a 45‑minute suspension of the third round on the Palmer South Course, and the final round’s closing par‑five was shortened on Sunday to accommodate the wet conditions. These interruptions added a layer of difficulty that tested every competitor’s resilience. On the final day, Alexander briefly showed a hint of vulnerability, dropping shots on the first two holes.
However, she quickly regained her composure, firing three consecutive birdies beginning on the fifth hole. Those birdies rebuilt her cushion and re‑established control, allowing her to steer the tournament toward a victory that had seemed long overdue.
"This one is really special," Alexander said after her win. "It’s a special event, and I feel the second win is just as important as the first because it’s not a fluke!" She added, "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 with her seven shots behind the leader, but she carried the momentum of her own 63 from Friday, a round that featured nine birdies and no dropped shots before the worst of the Saturday rain arrived. On Sunday, she thrilled the home crowd with four birdies in five holes around the turn, climbing to 15‑under par. Unfortunately for the 31‑year‑old, that surge was followed by six consecutive pars and a bogey on the shortened 17th before she finished with a birdie on the final par‑five.
Her fourth‑place finish ties her best result at the Irish Open, a feat she also achieved 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.
She was named as one of Anna Nordqvist’s captain’s picks for next month’s Solheim Cup, despite missing the cut in four of the five majors this year and enduring a two‑year winless streak. A top‑five finish on home soil, built on a strong weekend, suggests her form is finally clicking at the crucial moment. Her Solheim Cup record stands at 8‑3‑1 over three appearances, and she was the leading scorer as an unbeaten rookie when Europe captured the trophy in 2021.
This pedigree made her the sole experienced player among Nordqvist’s four selections, 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 cup from Team USA.
The opening ceremony will be broadcast live on Thursday, September 10, at 4 p.m. on Sky Sports+, followed by comprehensive coverage of all three competition days on Sky Sports Golf. Coverage starts at 6 a.m.
on Friday, September 11, and Saturday, September 12, with two sessions each day, and concludes with a 9 a.m. singles session on Sunday, September 13.
Viewers can also access the latest Sky Sports deals or stream without a contract via NOW. Overall, Alexander’s win underscores her breakthrough after a season of near‑misses, while Maguire’s strong showing at home signals she is poised to make a significant impact in the upcoming Solheim Cup. The tournament also highlighted the resilience of players and organizers in the face of challenging weather, delivering a memorable edition of the Irish Open for fans and participants alike.