By Selloane Ntshonyane
- South African golfers get more chances to climb the global rankings with two Ladies European Tour events in April and a new tournament in Mauritius.
- Casandra Alexander leads the way after winning the Investec Order of Merit, which comes with a R200 000 bonus and a Renault for a year.
South Africa’s best women golfers can look forward to a bumper 2026 season as the Sunshine Ladies Tour rolls out more events and better rewards.
The tour keeps two major events with the Ladies European Tour in April. The Joburg Ladies Open is at Randpark Golf Club’s Firethorn Course from 16 to 19 April. The Investec South African Women’s Open follows at Royal Cape Golf Club from 23 to 26 April.
For the first time, the tour moves beyond South Africa. Players will tee off in Mauritius from 1 to 3 May for the new MCB Ladies Classic. This event counts towards the Investec Order of Merit, giving local golfers a stronger shot at improving their world rankings.
Players will again compete for the Investec Order of Merit title. The winner gets R200 000 and use of a Renault for a year. Casandra Alexander took this year’s title.
Another reward on offer is the R100 000 Homegrown Award. It goes to any South African golfer who wins the SA Women’s Open.
New players also get a boost. The top rookie of 2025 will get automatic entry into the 2027 SA Women’s Open and Joburg Ladies Open.
All winners in 2025 will qualify for the Waterfall City Tournament of Champions, where they will compete with the men for a R1 million prize.
Sunshine Tour Commissioner Thomas Abt says the 2026 season gives golfers more chances than ever before.
Pictured above: Casandra Alexander at the 2025 SA Women’s Open.
Image source: Sunshine Ladies Tour
