Couples’ brilliant North Carolina win but another great finish for Alker
Steve Alker records 11th top 3 finish of 2022 – file photo PGA of America
New Zealander Steve Alker’s final round of 64 at the SAS Championship in North Carolina might have been overshadowed by the brilliance of Fred Couples’ round of 60 to win the event by six shots, but the runner-up finish by Alker was his 11th top three of the season and will take him further ahead in the Schwab Cup rankings.
Alker’s earnings on the PGA Tour Champions Tour in 2022 now total US$2.91 million and he moves further ahead of second placed Padraig Harrington (US$2.57 million).
The amazing round of 63 year old Couples resulted in his 14th PGA Tour Champions title but his first in five years and he did so by reeling off seven consecutive birdies to finish his round, in fact he played his last 14 holes in 12 under par after pars at his first four holes.
Couples had started with a double bogey at the opening hole this week but kicked into gear with a round of 68 that day, followed up with another 68 on Saturday and today blew the field apart with his amazing late run.
“My game can come and go and I’m done for the year,” said Couples.
“I heard someone just say a little while ago, that my game on the Champions Tour is trending in the right direction and I like where it’s going. So I’ve got next year to really bear down and play well. As you said, I haven’t won in five years. It seems like it. Everyone thinks we can win out here and today was my day.
“Expectations are a lot with me, and coming in here, I had Griff, Steve Flesch’s son, caddying for me and I just wanted to play well for him.
“I started with a double on the first hole, so we didn’t hit it off so well. But today was just an unreal day. As we were just talking a second ago, the putt I made on 10 was a huge boost because I knew 12 downwind would be something I could get and then I could get settled in again after making those five birdies.”
Alker also recovered from a slow start on Friday to work his way back into the tournament, following an opening round of 72 with rounds of 66 and 64 and although left in the wake of Couples it was yet another fine week for the 51 year old.
Alker had taken last week off and perhaps took time to kick into gear this week but once he did there was no stopping him.
“Yeah, it just got better as the week went on, swing started grooving,” he said. “Even this morning on the range and yesterday was good out on the course. Yeah, started hitting the yardages and putting nicely, so it’s all come together. So good timing for the Playoffs coming up, just got a lot of work to do. Another three events, it doesn’t sound like much, but there’s a lot of work to do yet.
On his extended lead in the Schwab Cup and with just three events remaining Alker said: “I’d rather be here (in front) than behind. I don’t know how much of a lead I’m going to have going in, but with double points and everything coming up, as much as I can is always good.”
