Kiwi Steven Alker has charged into a share of the lead at the midway point of the season-ending PGA Tour Champions event in Florida.
Alker and American Marco Dawson are co-leaders on 11-under after firing matching rounds of in the and Alker fired matching rounds of seven-under 64 on Saturday at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship seniors event at Phoenix Country Club.
The Hamiltonian is vying for a winner's cheque of US$528,000 (NZ$896, 891).
They sit one stroke clear of four golfers on 10-under: Ireland's Padraig Harrington (63 Friday), Germany's Alex Cejka (64), Harrison Frazar (67) and Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee (67).
Steve Stricker, who has already clinched the season-long Schwab Cup title, withdrew from the season finale earlier this week when his father was admitted to the hospital for a medical emergency.
The tournament field is vying for second place overall and Alker, last year's Schwab Cup winner, could take that runner-up mantle with a win after entering the week fourth in the standings.
The 52-year-old birdied five of his first seven holes in his second round. After five straight pars, he tallied three birdies and a bogey in the final six-hole stretch.
"Got the start I wanted again today. It was great," Alker said.
"I didn't play the back well yesterday and (on Friday I) just kind of kept my round going. Threw a bogey in there somewhere. Yeah, just pleased to just keep it going and finish strong."
Alker's score was his lowest this season through 36 holes as he chases the second win of his 2023 campaign and the seventh of his career at seniors level.
Alker finished third in the tournament last year and was runner-up in 2021.
Reuters.
