Casandra Alexander pulls ahead with 66 to lead Women's Irish Open at K Club

South African Casandra Alexander surged to the top of the Women's Irish Open leaderboard with a second-round 66 at the K Club, five shots ahead of the nearest competitors. She began the day by eagling the opening hole, the par-five 10th, and added back-to-back birdies before a brief dip on the 13th, then closed with another eagle on the 3rd. The 27-year-old's 36-hole aggregate of 129 left her clear of Czech Sara Kouskova, who posted a 68, and American Brianna Navarrosa, who recorded a 65.

Irish player Canice Screene leads the local challenge, tied for eighth after a five-under 67, while Aine Donegan fell to two under with a 73. Leona Maguire, after an opening 71, reached four under before a late-round slump left her also at two under through the halfway point.