There is a definite buzz around the practice greens at Randpark Golf Club today—the smell of freshly cut grass mixing with that specific tension you only feel when a big tournament is about to start. Casandra Alexander is walking the course with a confidence that feels earned. She’s currently sitting at number one on the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit and holding the 41st spot globally, which is no small feat. It’s a bit of a homecoming for her, really. She won this tournament back in 2021 and was the runner-up last year, so she knows the nuances of the Firethorn course better than most.
Her coach, Grant Veenstra, sounds genuinely convinced that we haven’t seen her ceiling yet. He told Misryoum that he truly believes she is a future top-10 player, though—well, perhaps he’s biased, but his point about her consistency is hard to argue with when you look at her recent scorecard. She isn’t just relying on natural talent anymore; she’s spent months grinding away at her swing mechanics.
It’s going to be a real test, though. The field is packed. We’re talking about the top three players from the Ladies European Tour all showing up in Johannesburg, including Agathe Laisne and Kelsey Bennett. And honestly, that’s exactly what the local tour needs. You need that mix of rising stars and the seasoned campaigners to actually push the level of play forward. Or maybe it’s just about having enough competition to keep everyone on their toes—either way, the quality is definitely there this time.
Then there’s the Sunshine Ladies Tour contingent. Celina Sattelkau is here, leading the Investec Order of Merit and looking for her third win of the season, and she’s brought Sophie Witt along for the ride. Every single winner from the current season is in the field, which is just wild. It creates this weird, high-pressure environment where everyone knows that a win here could be a springboard to the LPGA Tour—much like it was for Mimi Rhodes and Chiara Tamburlini.
Alexander is staying focused on the basics, specifically her short game. She mentioned that while her iron play has always been her backbone, she’s been obsessed with putting lately.
It’s funny how golf works. You spend years perfecting a swing, and then, suddenly, everything hinges on a few three-foot putts on a Sunday afternoon. We’ll see if she can keep her composure with such a talented group nipping at her heels. The weather looks like it might hold up, but in Joburg, you never really know, do you?