This time last year, Kiwi Steven Alker was an unknown journeyman golfer this time last year. Now he's made himself a home on the PGA Tour Champions and has become a Major winner.
Alker, 50, made nine birdies and shot an eight-under-par 63 final round to win the Senior PGA Championship at Harbor Shores Resort at Benton Harbor, Michigan.
At 16-under 268, Alker beat Stephen Ames of Canada, the 54-hole leader, by three strokes.
"It's been a great run," Alker said. "I've just enjoyed playing out here.
"I'm enjoying myself with the guys that have made me welcome. It's so much fun."
Alker only played three full seasons on the PGA Tour and won four times on what was then called the Web.com Tour, before turning 50 and qualiyfing for the tour in July 2021. Winning the TimberTech Championship in November helped him finally gain full status.
Alker added two more victories in April and May, and entered the week leading the Charles Schwab Cup money list. He opened the Senior PGA with a 64, before slipping behind during the middle two rounds.
He birdied three of his first five holes and after committing his only bogey of the round at No.7, he bounced back with four straight birdies that tied him at 14 under with Ames.
Ames dropped back with two bogeys over his last five holes, while Alker made his eighth and ninth birdies with short putts at 15 and 16. Ames ended with a one-under 70.
"Overall, any person that's an [unknown] player coming out is getting a name for himself," Ames said of Alker. "I think the way he's been doing it this year is phenomenal.
"Three wins this year so far, he's now at $1.6 or 1.7m on the money list. He's running away with the Schwab Cup right now."
German star Bernhard Langer finished third at 10 under, after briefly leading earlier in the day. He went four under on the front nine to reach 14 under, before bogeying three straight holes and doubling No.18 to wind up with an even-par 71.
KJ Choi of South Korea (65), Miguel Angel Jimenez (69) of Spain, Paul Goydos (71) and Mike Weir (72) of Canada tied for fourth at nine under.
Alker shared the early lead with an opening-round 64, but fell away with 72 on the second day and lost further ground on the leaders with 69 on the third. He took his season earnings to US$1.1 in with the win.
The result was Alker's fourth career win on the over-50 circuit and his third this year, along with four other top-10 finishes.
More to come
