Steve Alker makes it four wins for PGA Tour Champions season
Alker with yet another trophy – image Getty ImagesNew Zealand’s Steve Alker has held off a strong final-day challenge from Tag Ridings to win his 4th PGA Tour Champions title of the season, his 5th win of 2026, and his 14th PGA Tour Champions title in five years.
Alker earns US$345,000 for his win and takes his season’s earnings to US$2.3 million.
Alker’s win was all the more meritorious after back issues early in the week and after his regular caddie fell ill during Friday’s opening round, and a local 19-year-old caddie replaced him.
After one win early in the season, Alker has been on a roll, winning three of his last four and adding a European Senior Tour win, for four wins and a runner-up finish in his last five starts.
“Yeah, it’s pretty special, I haven’t done it since ’22,” said the 55-year-old, referring to the four victories. “Kind of a little bit surprised. I just crushed it the last six weeks; the scoring got better, my putting got better, driving it better, doing everything better. So I didn’t have my A-game today; we didn’t have our A-game in the last group, but just good to get it done. Made some big putts there at the end. Just so happy with No. 4.”
“Whyatt, (replacement caddie), he’s a local guy here; he’s only 19. He’s done a great job, helped me on some putts here and there I just wasn’t sure of because I hadn’t seen the golf course, hadn’t had enough time on it. So it all worked out.”
Alker will move past US$2 million for the season (US$2.3 million) but remains in 3rd position on the PGA Tour’s Charles Schwab standings behind Stewart Cink and Zach Johnson.
