Maguire falls short as Alexander wins Irish Open
Casandra Alexander extended her lead at the top of the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit
- Published
Women's Irish Open - final leaderboard
-20 C Alexander (SA); -17 S Kouskova (Cze); -16 N Komulainen (Fin); -15 L Maguire (Ire), L Rydqvist (Swe); -13 A Garvey (Aus), C Viden (Swe), K Arwefjaell (Swe), M Folke (Swe), S Tan (Sin)
Selected others: -12 L M Humphreys (Eng); -11 A Dawson (IoM); -8 L Walsh (Ire); -7 H Screen (Eng); -6 A Foster (Ire); -4 A Donegan (Ire), -2 A Wilson (NI)
Leona Maguire's fightback at her home event fell short as Casandra Alexander won the Irish Open at the K Club.
Maguire's stunning round of 63 on Saturday had put her in touch of overnight leader Alexander, but the South African had enough in hand to hold off the chasing pack.
Alexander won by three shots ahead of Sara Kouskova of the Czech Republic, while Maguire ended the tournament tied for fifth, five shots off the winning score of 20 under par.
It is a second European Tour victory for 27-year-old Alexander, who also won the Czech Open in 2025, and she extends her advantage at the top of the Order of Merit.
Alexander said she was "really pumped" to lift the trophy after four second-place finishes this year.
"It's always tough on the final day when you are leading," Alexander told Sky Sports.
"Order of Merit is goal number one and winning golf tournaments is the best way to do it.
"I'm glad I could get it done and I can't wait to get home and celebrate with friends and family."
It was a case of what might of been for Maguire, who started slowly in County Kildare but her magical 63 gave hopes that she may be able to complete an unlikely comeback.
While she fell short of catching Alexander, she ended the tournament with a closing 68 and, by finishing tied for fourth, she equalled the best result for an Irish golfer at her home event.
The 31-year-old will now switch her focus to the Solheim Cup in the Netherlands after being selected as a wildcard pick by European captain Anna Nordqvist.
"It was another successful Irish Open and the fans made it," Maguire told Sky Sports.
"It's nice to get a couple of low rounds and while Friday was the one that got away, overall 15-under is solid and it was nice to give the home fans something to cheer about."
