Casandra Alexander will take a three-shot lead into the final round of the KPMG Women’s Irish Open as the South African looks to complete a wire-to-wire victory and earn her first Ladies European Tour (LET) win of the season.

On a rain-hampered moving day at The K-Club, the 27-year-old continued her fine play carding a round of three-under-par 69 on the Palmer South Course to move to 18-under-par.

“It was a bit of a slow day out there,” Alexander said, who fired the course-record nine-under 63 on Thursday. “It was tough on and off the golf course with the rain. I had a couple lip outs but it was still good. I’m still leading the golf tournament heading into Sunday so no complaints.”

Alexander started strong once again in Ireland making the turn in three-under 33 before the horn sounded to suspend play following heavy rainfall. After a 45-minute delay, the big-hitting South African returned to the course but struggled to get things going again carding six straight pars as the chasing pack, led by playing partner Sara Kouskova, closed the gap. Alexander would birdie the short par-four 16th but gave a shot back at the par-three 17th.

“The suspension was definitely a momentum killer,” the South African said. “The putting just felt a little different after all the rain. I was struggling to get the pace right on the greens. It was a bit slow and I started to get a little impatient on the back-nine. But I pulled myself back and realised I’m still leading the golf tournament. Nothing to really complain about.”

Alexander currently leads the LET Order of Merit with five runner-up finishes to her name. Ranked World No 38 thanks to an excellent season, one which included a T10 finish at The Amundi Evian Championship, she is chasing a second win on the circuit this week after winning last year’s Tipsport Czech Ladies Open.

“Hopefully we can extend the lead early on tomorrow,” Alexander said. “I’m feeling good. It’s exactly where I want to be. Obviously the number one goal is to win. We’ve come second too many times this year. I just want to make sure I give myself as many opportunities as possible to get the job done. It would be a really special win. It’s one of everyone’s favourite events [on tour].”

In solo second sits Czech Republic’s Kouskova. Trailing Alexander by five shots before the start of play, the two-time LET winner fired a bogey-free scorecard, a 67 which included three birdies and an eagle at the par-five seventh.