Alexander tees off Sunshine Ladies Tour season as part of prep for a big 2026

South Africa’s Casandra Alexander believes the Sunshine Ladies Tour is fast becoming the main pathway onto the Ladies European Tour for the world’s women professionals as she continues to support the Tour in this week’s R1.3 million SuperSport Ladies Challenge presented by Sun International at Humewood Golf Club.

She headlines the field for the opening tournament on the 2026 Sunshine Ladies Tour, which tees off on Wednesday as the first of nine tournaments.

Alexander dominated last year’s Sunshine Ladies Tour on her way to winning the overall Investec Order of Merit. She took that form onto the Ladies European Tour and claimed a victory there as well. And she heads to Humewood, currently ranked fourth on the Ladies European Tour Order of Merit, and with big plans for the Majors this year and her ultimate goal of graduating to the LPGA Tour.

“I try my best to support and play as many events on the Sunshine Ladies Tour as possible because I do think it is the future of qualifying for the Ladies European Tour. I think we can become the mirror image of what the Sunshine Tour is for the men’s professional graduating to the DP World Tour,” said Alexander.

“The Sunshine Ladies Tour always makes for a good start early in the year. It gives you that confidence and a bit of an upper hand going into the Ladies European Tour season because the European weather at the same time isn’t as good, so they don’t get the same quality practise in competition over there.

“I’ve only played Humewood once, but I’m a fan of links golf and have always performed well on links courses. There’s a certain way you have to play links courses, and I’ve figured out my way to play it. So I’m looking forward to the challenge of Humewood.”

'GREAT CHALLENGE'

Alexander’s own progression through the Sunshine Ladies Tour to a current star of the international game has definitely inspired the country’s next generation of professionals. None more so than Kaiyuree Moodley, who made her professional debut on the Sunshine Ladies Tour last year and went on to win the R&A Rookie of the Year award.

“I learnt so many things in my rookie season, and this year I’d like to aim for a top-five finish on the Investec Order of Merit. Watching Casandra win it last year and then seeing how well she played in Europe is definitely something I’d also like to achieve.

“I enjoy links golf, and Humewood is a great challenge. My game is feeling pretty good at the moment, and I think Humewood will be a very good test,” she said.

2026 TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE

FEBRUARY 2026

4 – 6 February R1.3 million

SuperSport Ladies Challenge presented by Sun International

Humewood, Gqeberha

13 – 15 February R2.6 million

NTT DATA Ladies Pro-Am

Fancourt, George

MARCH 2026

5 – 7 March R1 million

Standard Bank Ladies Open hosted by City of Cape Town

Durbanville Golf Club, Cape Town

11 – 13 March R1 million

Jabra Ladies Classic

Glendower Golf Club, Johannesburg

18 – 20 March R1.2 million

Platinum Ladies Open

Blair Atholl Golf and Equestrian Estate, Johannesburg

26 – 28 March R1.5 million

Absa Ladies Invitational

Royal Johannesburg, Johannesburg

APRIL 2026

16 – 19 April ++ €330 000

Joburg Ladies Open

Randpark Golf Club – Firethorn Course, Johannesburg

23 – 26 April ++ €350 000

Investec SA Women’s Open

Royal Cape Golf Club, Cape Town

MAY 2026

1 – 3 May

MCB Ladies Classic

Constance Belle Mare Plage, Mauritius

JUNE 2026

4 – 7 June R2.5 million

Waterfall City Tournament of Champions supported by Attacq and WCMC

Royal Johannesburg, Johannesburg