Staff WriterAt the ABSA Ladies Invitational at Royal Johannesburg, defending champion Casandra Alexander set the tone with a fearless performance, sharing the lead with Spain’s Carmen Alonso after a dazzling five-under-par 67 in the opening round.
The atmosphere was charged with excitement as Alexander, whose recent successes on the Sunshine Ladies Tour have seen her lift the Jabra Ladies Classic trophy and top the Investec Order of Merit, clearly made her intentions known.
“I really enjoyed my round today. It felt great having so many familiar faces around me and playing at a course that I enjoy. The course is playing longer due to all the rain that we’ve had but I had a good day,” she said.
The event, part of the expanding appeal of the ABSA Ladies Invitational, also benefited from a significant boost in prize money.
This week’s purse received an extra R300 000—bringing the total to R1.5 million—marking the second consecutive week of increased rewards on the Sunshine Ladies Tour.
The enhanced figures are seen as a strong vote of confidence from sponsors, signalling their commitment to the growth of women’s golf.
“I believe the sponsors are seeing value in women’s golf as the last two tournaments had an increase in prize money.
It’s also so exciting if the partnerships between the sponsors and the Sunshine Ladies Tour are extended, as this shows us that they believe in what we are doing.
We want the sponsors to come back year-after-year as I know we can give them the value they need,” said Alexander.
Looking ahead, Alexander is optimistic about the future of the Sunshine Ladies Tour.
She envisions an expanded schedule—growing from eight to ten events—which would offer both local and international players more opportunities to compete and raise the profile of the sport.
“I hope that the Sunshine Ladies Tour will follow in the footsteps of the Sunshine Tour, and that South Africa will become a place where international players will base themselves as we have excellent courses and our weather is great for year-round golf,” she said.
With South African golfers claiming victory in four of the five tournaments so far this season, Alexander’s sights remain firmly set on clinching the Investec Order of Merit.
“I don’t think about it every day, and it is definitely not in the back of my mind when I play, but I would love to win the Investec Order of Merit.
I’ve come close before and as a South African, it would mean a lot to me to add my name to the list of winners.”
This spirited performance at the ABSA Ladies Invitational not only underscores Alexander’s talent but also highlights the growing prestige and promise of women’s golf in South Africa.
