Alexander surges clear at Women's Irish Open

Alexander made 13 birdies, two eagles and two bogeys over the first two rounds [Getty Images] Two eagles propelled overnight leader Casandra Alexander to a second-round 66 as the South African seized control of the Women's Irish Open at the K Club. Following a bogey-free 63 on Thursday, Alexander eagled the par-five 10th - her opening hole - on Friday and followed that with back-to-back birdies. Having dropped a shot on 13, the 27-year-old carded a birdie two on 17 before recording her second eagle of the round at the third. After a bogey on six, a birdie on seven gave Alexander a 36-hole total of 129 to sit five shots clear of the Czech Republic's Sara Kouskova, who followed an opening 68 with a 66. Canice Screene leads the home challenge on five under after mixing seven birdies with two bogeys in a five-under 67, but Aine Donegan slipped back to two under with a disappointing 73. Europe's Solheim defeat in 2024 'extra incentive'