Casandra Alexander opened the Ladies European Tour’s Andalucia Open de Espana, Real Club Guadalhorce Golf in Malaga, Spain on Thursday with a three-under-par 69 for a share of 14th after the first round.
It was a bogey-free effort from the South African, with a birdie on the front nine and two on the back nine. That left her four strokes off the lead, which was held by Noora Komulainen of Finland at seven-under-par. She was one clear of four players on six-under-par, two on five-under and six on four-under. Alexander shared 14th with five other players.
The Finnish player began her round from the 10th and rolled in three birdies in a row on 11, 12 and 13. Komulainen dropped her only shot of the day on the 16th and then had a phenomenal nine holes on the front nine. She made back-to-back birdies on the first and second before making further birdies on holes four, six and nine to sit at the top of the leaderboard on seven-under-par.
“It was a really solid day to be honest,” said the Finn. “I think I hit almost all the fairways and my approaches were good. My putter was good, so that’s the secret today.
“It’s been a tough year, I really struggled this year. I had a really good three weeks at home. I worked on some things that I need to work on and I think that worked. I really enjoyed it today to be honest.
“I was already preparing for next year, so I knew that I have to play well this week because I’m 65th in the ranking at the moment. I was just enjoying myself on the golf course today. I think we always have a little of pressure which helps, but I didn’t feel too much pressure.”
Lee-Anne Pace opened with a one-over-par 73 for a share of 50th and Nicole Garcia had a two-over 74 for a share of 58th.
