Casandra Alexander closed with a one-under-par 71 on Sunday for a share of 14th in the Ladies European Tour’s KPMG Women’s Irish Open at Dromoland Castle in County Clare.
Alexander’s four birdies, a bogey and a double-bogey took her to eight-under for the tournament. That was eight shots behind the winner, Smilla Tarning Soenderby of Denmark, who closed with a 10-under 62 to force a play-off with Lisa Pettersen of Sweden and Anne van Dam of the Netherlands.
The trio headed back to the 18th hole for the playoff where the 23-year-old Soenderby reached the green in two and sunk her eagle putt to secure her maiden title on the Ladies European Tour. “I’m not quite sure what happened in the play-off! I hit a good drive,” she said. “It was a very long drive compared to the first round there.
“Then I had 178 and just wanted to hit a five-iron to the middle of the green and missed it a bit left. It sounded like I almost holed it and then the putt went in. I didn’t think my score was enough when I got into the clubhouse, but it turned out to be enough.
“It is redemption, after the 18th last year I said I’m okay to not be in the play-off because I’m not sure I’m ready to be in that position and I’m ready for it now.
“It means so much. I could see first that I had been in that position last year, so I knew how to handle those emotions and feelings on the 18th fairway, so I knew what to do and I did it. Well done to Lisa and to Anne as well.”
In a share of 14th with Alexander was Nicole Garcia, who closed with a two-under-par 70. Lee-Anne Pace was a further shot back on seven-under after her closing five-under-par 67. She shared 21st. Cara Gorlei made the cut, but battled on Sunday to a nine-over 81 to finish in 70th on 14-over.
