Steve Alker’s strong major Sunday just fails
Steve Alker – image PGA of America
New Zealand’s Steve Alker extended his lead at the top of the Charl Schwab Cup points table with a runner-up finish in the opening major of the PGA Tour Champions, the Regions Traditions in Birmingham, Alabama this morning.
Alker’s brilliant final round of 63 was by three shots the best of the day and swept him from 13th place through 54 holes to finish two shots behind the winner, Doug Barron.
Alker moved past the likes of Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington and Steve Stricker during the course of the final round with seven birdies and an eagle, the only hiccup coming when he bogeyed the 16th hole challenging for the lead.
Alker earned US$228,000 and lifts his season’s earnings to US$1.2 million, some US$243,000 ahead of the second-placed Stephen Ames.
It was Alker’s third runner-up finish of the season to go with his win at the opening event of the year.
Alker’s next event is the Senior PGA Championship a title he won in 2022.
Stuart Appleby was the best of the Australians when he finished 11th and moved to 18th on the Charl Schwab table.
