Casandra Alexander will take a five-shot lead into the weekend at the KPMG Women’s Irish Open after reaching 15-under par at The K Club.

The South African followed her course-record opening 63 with a six-under 66 on Friday, making two eagles on the Palmer South Course to strengthen her position at the top of the leaderboard.

Sara Kouskova and Brianna Navarrosa share second on 10-under, while Swedish pair Louise Rydqvist and Corrine Viden are another shot behind.

Alexander Extends Her Advantage

Alexander began her second round at the 10th and threatened another course record. She eagled her opening hole and birdied the next two to move to 4-under after three holes.

A bogey at the 13th interrupted her progress, but a birdie at the 17th took her through the turn in 32. She added another eagle at the 3d before exchanging a bogey and birdie over her closing stretch.

“Not as tidy as yesterday,” Alexander said. “I left some putts right in the throat and had some awkward wedge numbers. But overall pretty good. It was always going to be hard to follow up yesterday’s round.”

The 27-year-old leads the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit after five runner-up finishes this season. Her only LET victory came at the 2025 Tipsport Czech Ladies Open, while she also tied for 10th at The Amundi Evian Championship last month.

“Consistency is key,” Alexander said. “I’ve shown that I have that. I did say at the beginning of the week, if we are going to win, we’re going to make sure we win by a few because I’m not going to leave it up to chance.”

Kouskova and Navarrosa Lead the Chase

Kouskova matched Alexander’s 66 to climb into a share of second place. The two-time LET winner arrived after two weeks away from tournament golf, having recorded a career-best major finish of tied seventh at the AIG Women’s Open.

Navarrosa produced Friday’s lowest round, making seven birdies in a bogey-free 65. The Californian credited additional pre-tournament work for helping her move into contention.

“I kind of blacked out,” Navarrosa said. “It was one of those days where you stand up to each shot and know it’s going to be a good one. I hit great shots tee-to-green and sunk some nice putts.”

Lisa Pettersson also shot 65 without a bogey and holds sixth place on 8-under.

Screene Heads Irish Challenge

Canice Screene is the leading Irish player after birdieing seven of her final 12 holes in a second-round 67. She is tied in 8th place on 5-under.

Leona Maguire sits tied 26th on two under following a second successive 71. Áine Donegan, Anna Foster, Annabel Wilson and Lauren Walsh also joined Screene and Maguire in making the even-par cut, leaving six Irish players in the field for the weekend.

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