Steve Alkers remarkable run on PGA Tour Champions continues in Tucson
Steve Alker – file image courtesy of New Zealand Open / Photosport NZ
Steve Alker’s impressive come-from-behind victory in this week’s Cologuard Classic in Tucson added to an already remarkable set of statistics in his 4.5-year career on the PGA Tour Champions.
The victory came in Alker’s 100th start at this level, and this was his 11th title in that time but that he has been able to record now 74 top tens in that stretch, 41 of those top 3 finishes, confirms just how dominant the now 54 year old New Zealander has been since first qualifying to play an event in August of 2001 by Monday qualifying.
Alker recorded rounds of 62 and 65 over the final 36 holes to come from 9 shots off the first round lead in the 54-hole event and claimed the title with a birdie at the first extra hole of a playoff to defeat Padraig Harrington and successfully defend a title he also won in a playoff twelve months ago.
After missing a putt from under three feet on Friday to record an opening round of even par 71, Alker rebounded with his brilliant weekend to earn the winner’s cheque of US$330,000, taking his career earnings on the PGA Tour Champions to more than US$13 million.
In just two starts this season of four events played, Alker is now in 4th position on the 2026 Schwab Cup points table.
“Yeah, it’s great,” said Alker in his opening remark in the media centre. “It kind of feels like deja vu, to be honest, the way it played out. Yeah, happy to have a chance to win the golf tournament, and ultimately it all worked out. 100th start, really special. I had no idea. It’s just gone so quickly, I’m having so much fun out here. To win here again is pretty special.
“As I said, this tournament means more,” added Alker, referring to the Cologuard cause, which is a test to identify Colon cancer. “Winning the helmet, winning the golf tournament’s about the cause and what they’re doing here. To have two is nice. I mean, my wife and I have got one now.”
Steve Allan and Richard Green were the next best of the Australasians in the field when they tied for 10th.
