Steve Alker chasing second Champions Tour major
Steve Alker – file photo courtesy of USGA
While New Zealand’s Steve Alker has been one of the most dominant figures on the PGA Tour Champions since joining in August of 2021, he has just the one Senior major title to his name in that time.
This weekend, he gets the chance to add another after his opening 36 holes of the Kaulig Companies Championship at the Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio, have him sharing the halfway lead with Argentinian Ricardo Gonzalez and American Tim Petrovic.
Alker’s only win in a senior major came when winning the Kitchen Aid Senior PGA Championship in 2022. Although there has been several near misses since, that second major has eluded the 53-year-old.
Alker’s second round of 67 was perhaps disappointing in that he made a fast start with four birdies in his first six holes, but, the demanding and lengthy Firestone Country Club layout bared its teeth over the closing stages and he finds himself in that share of the lead as he chases not only his second major but a 10th PGA Tour Champions title.
“I’m just really trying to get into the process right now. I had some close calls this year again, I had some seconds and thirds and stuff,” said Alker. “Just trying to knuckle down and just focus on me a little bit more, just try and hit my shots. I know the game’s there, it’s good enough, it’s just making a few more putts. That’s kind of what I’m focusing on now.”
The Firestone Country Club has a reputation as one of the more demanding layouts the PGA Tour Champions will play this year, but Alker enjoys the challenge.
“You’ve got to have all facets of your game going. It’s a major, right? There’s some rough out there and it’s a long golf course, a lot of long irons. You’ve just got to knuckle up and play good, and I like that. Maybe three or four times a year is good, but I enjoy coming here. They look after us great, and the golf course is great. Yeah, it’s just a good test, love it.”
Amongst the other Australasians in the field, Richard Green and Michael Wright are next best, in a tie for 6th and three from the lead and Mark Hensby is in 9th place at 1 under par and just four off the halfway lead.
