Alker leads Hensby at Sunningdale
Steve Alker in action today – image courtesy of R&A / Getty
Steven Alker has been one of the great success stories on the PGA Tour Champions since his debut near Seattle in August of 2021, but in his now ten victories in the over-fifties (including one in Mexico) there has been only one major title.
This week, he gets his chance to add another when he plays the ISPS Senior Open Championship at Sunningdale in Berkshire and he has made the near perfect start with an opening round of 7 under par 63 to lead Australia’s Mark Hensby by one.
The defending champion, Korean K.J Choi, and American straightshooter, Joe Durant, are another two shots back in a share of 3rd place.
Alker has played this event on three previous occasions for a 3rd, 5th and 11th place finish and it again appears that he will be in the hunt for much of the week and possibly on top at week’s end.
“I was just efficient today,” said the 54 year old New Zealander. “Drove it in the fairway when I needed to and iron play was solid and just made some putts, especially on the back nine, just kind of kept things rolling. So I think I bogeyed 7 and after that, I just got a bit of momentum and kept it going. Always need momentum. It’s a nice opening round in the Senior Open, Thursday.
“I remember walking around here on Monday and I recognised about five holes. But I just love the walk. I knew I was coming to a special place with some good vibes. So it’s been a long time (since he has played Sunningdale) but it has not changed much at all.
“It’s hard at our age just to keep it up and maintain our bodies, but just across the board, I probably don’t practise as much as I used to. I don’t grind as much but I might spend more time on the body. Just try and balance everything and keep it in shape. Short game has been solid. Everything has just been, as I said, kind of efficient and consistent.”
Two starts ago, Hensby produced an outstanding week at the US Senior Open where he finished 4th after being in or near the lead for much of the week.
“Yeah, the U.S. Senior Open I learned a lot playing with Pádraig and Stewart the last day. You don’t have to be perfect and unfortunately, we feel like we have to. Pádraig played great the last nine holes, and it was fun to be there and watch and competing, even though I wasn’t in contention the last nine holes.
“I haven’t played here before. But I love the golf course and my game has been kind of trending at times and thank goodness it was good today.”
Rod Pampling, Richard Green, Stephen Allan and Scott Hend are the next best of the 14 Australasians in the field, that group tied for 14th at 2 under.
