Kiwi Steven Alker has extended his dominance of the Champions Tour with victory at the Insperity Invitational in Texas.
Trailling 12-time PGA Tour winner Steve Striker by four shots halfway through his final round at The Woodlands, outside Houston, Alker, 50, used a two-hour weather delay to recharge his bid for the top prize, reeling off three straight birdies, an eagle and another birdie to finish four shots clear of his rivals.
His eagle came on the par-five 15th - his second on that hole in as many days and his third two-under for the tournament. Alker finished with a a final round 66 to finish 18 under par for the event and collect US$345,000 (NZ$536,000) in prizemoney.
He has now won two of his last three tournaments and tied for second in the other, after taking out the Rapiscan Systems Classic by six strokes from Alex Cejka and Padraig Harrington last month. Since joining the over-50 circuit last August, Alker has 13 top-10 finishes and nine top-five placings in 16 events.
During the rain delay at Woodlands, Alker watched TV coverage of the event, noticed his swing was a little off and made the adjustment over the closing nine holes.
"It's been a fun ride," Alker said. "I'm just happy to be out here.
"Everything has come around. I'm enjoying my game - everything is a lot of fun."
