He's been knocking on the door and in the top-10 each and every week. 9. There were lot of circles on the scorecard for Alker, who completely took charge of the championship. Masters: Wanna play Augusta National? Hes very loyal and just stuck with me and dug the hard yards and to come out with a win it was pretty special.. 15 on the Old Course at Broken Sound Sunday to take a one shot lead over Jim Furyk in the TimberTech Championship. I mean, its crazy, like were talking a year later and its just gone by so quickly. And this now is my favorite golf course in the world.. His 18-under 198 total is the lowest PGA Tour Champions tournament score at The Woodlands Country Club Tournament Course. More photos from the event here. Not before Alker signs it, of course. The struggle led to this. Their first event was The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic at Sandals Emerald Bay and Alker finished T4, his best Korn Ferry Tour result since 2014. Alker was born in Hamilton, New Zealand. Miguel Angel Jimenez smiles after making eagle on the first hole during the final round of the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. Im just having so much fun. Copyright 2023 PGA TOUR, Inc. All rights reserved. PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, and the Swinging Golfer design are registered trademarks. David Toms plays a shot from a bunker on the first hole during the final round of the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. He now has full exempt status for the Tour Champions 2022 season. We never changed a thing, said Sam Workman, Alkers caddy for the last three years. Steven Alker walks to the 18th green during the final round of the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. MORE: Phil Mickelson commits to playing in PGA Tour Champions season finale. Retief Goosen plays a shot from a bunker on the first hole during the final round of the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. Just perseverance with a capital P.. He was successful enough to graduate to the full PGA Tour in 2003, but was unable to retain his card and returned to the development tour from 2004 to 2006. Any person that's an un-name player coming out, getting a name for himself the way he's been doing, it is phenomenal.. K.J. Alker turned professional in 1995 and has competed on several tours around the world. But by then, he had enough points to advance to the Charles Schwab Cup, which started the next week. And then a T7 and you get the gist. It will probably sink in a bit more tomorrow, but yeah, this is neat, its so cool.. 46 this week in Tucson. How did a mild-mannered native of Hamilton, New Zealand, go from Korn Ferry Tour also-ran to Champions Tour frontrunner? 1, sitting atop the Charles Schwab Cup standings with three victories in 13 events in what is his first full season. Its been so much fun. I was only one ahead of Jim. He has spent time as a teaching pro. Some of it is still sinking in. He did that six consecutive weeks until falling off to a T15 at the SAS Championship. Caddie Moreover, in his last five starts, he has finished first, tied for second, first, tied for third and first. Discover Steven Alker's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Steven Alker, left, celebrates his victory with caddy Sam Workman during the final round of the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. Steven Alker reacts after his final putt on the 18th hole to win the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. Then a T9 and a spot in the next event. Steven Alker holds the trophy after winning the 2022 Charles Schwab Cup. View popular celebrities life details, birth signs and real ages. He had played in 10 events, posted nine top-10s and pocketed $1,146,207. Now hes public enemy No. It does take a lot of pressure off, said Alker, . We had a game plan and we stuck to it.. When he left the course on Sunday, his 9-under par score wasnt in the top-10. More: Alker outduels Furyk to win TimberTech Championship. I never would think about it, Alker said. Fans walk past a sign warning of lightning after play was suspended during the final round of the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. But he made four consecutive pars before a birdie at the 18thgave the Spaniard a share of second place. That's the biggest thing, I've had these 18 months, two years, 50s coming up, so let's stay in shape. You have a bunch of top-10s and you get in the thick of it and just try to get a W. Not that the top-10s aren't any good, it's just that you get that win, and just glad I got one today.. Alker was up by only a single shot when the trio, playing in the final grouping, walked off the 10th fairway. Miguel Angel Jimenez reacts after making eagle on the first hole during the final round of the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. I still had three holes to go. He struggled on the front nine Sunday, playing his first six holes in one-over. https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2021/11/08/opinion-steven-alker-pga-tour-champions-timbertech/, Mexico, Caribbean, Atlantic islands, Central America, Top 50 Classic Courses in Great Britain & Ireland, Top 50 Modern Courses in Great Britain & Ireland, Alker outduels Furyk to win TimberTech Championship, PGA Tour approves radical schedule changes, reducing fields in elevated events and ending cuts, Drivers used by PGA Tour pros ranked in the top 10 in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee. He has been a member of the PGA Tour of Australasia since 1995. I can hit all sorts of different shots with it thats the great thing.. The history in the wake of his senior debut is ancient and now largely forgotten, though Stephen Ames remembers. Its happened so fast. Theres not a lot of guys at 49 who could do that.. He finished 20th in the Web.com Tour Finals to earn his PGA Tour card for the 201415 season. Alker thrust himself into contention during the second round of Saturdays 36-hole marathon (caused when heavy rains postponed play Friday). Theyve got a few more options there. I just tried to convey that this is who you are now. Ames, who shared the 36-hole lead and was the 54-hole leader, shot 70 in the final round and finished second. Heres what you need to know. Alker literally was playing week to week, needingto finish in the top 10 to qualify for the next event. Prior to making eagle on the par-5 15th hole, he birdied the par-5 13th. Magical is the only way to describe his ascension that reached a pinnacle with this victory and the $630,000 first-prize money. Now, finally, staying the course has paid off. It's just that you get that win, and just glad I hung on today.. Alker had announced last week that Workman My short game and puttings come around. Brandt Jobe tees off on the fifth hole during the final round of the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. Langer leads Furyk by 337,727 points entering next weeks Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Phoenix. And for most of the past 15 years he has been a caddie on the Korn Ferry Tour. By the time he reached the I just like to see a big stop sign. Yes, he thought of doing something in addition to golf to help his family financially. He played on the European Tour in 1998 and 1999, also competing on Europe's developmental Challenge Tour in 1999. He didnt make a bogey until the 12th hole Sunday. Alker will also collect $1 million in bonus money for winning the Schwab Cup series title, money that will be paid out as a lump sum deposit into a Schwab brokerage account. That was nice, but it wasnt surprising to me. Seven years or 2,907 days. Winning the TimberTech changes everything for Steven Alker's second act in his professional career. Who Is Steven Alker's Wife? Sam Workman, 54, has been in the golf business his entire life. But before he did, I told him Id eventually get a flag at some point, and we got it done last week.. Im sort of in tournament mode. By the time they got to Phoenix, Alker had a commanding lead in the points race. After opening with a solid 67, a second-round 73 left him well outside the top 10. is 1.8m and Weight 65kg. In 2016, Alker played in the Open after tying for second in the Final Qualifying event held at the Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club. Learn How rich is He in this year and how He spends money? He then walked to the side of the green, closed his eyes and started talking to no one but himself. Then I got my roll going.. He had 304 starts on what now is called the Korn Ferry Tour, though he played it when it was the Nike Tour, the Buy.com Tour, the Nationwide Tour and the Web.com Tour. But would he pick up where he left off? I can't put my finger on one thing exactly. Monday Im shooting low rounds and keeping rounds going, said Alker, who posted scores of 67-65-66. Next week well sit down and think about what weve done and the win and it will sink in a bit more then.. He had another one on 13 but then birdied the 14th. If you would have seen me where I was a month ago to where I am today, thats what makes me happy. That he does, now that he has assured himself of no more Monday qualifiers for at least a couple of years. Steven Alker holds the champions' trophy after winning the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. Ive been paired with him a couple times this past season on the KFT. He is an unbelievable putter and bombs it for his age. Not really surprised t At 51 years old, Steven Alker height When I told my dad I was going out on the road full time to caddie he gave me 100% acceptance, Workman said. I knew when he got out here he would do well, but I would never have expected this well. But with the run Alker is on, Workman might need a bigger wall. Steven made that big putt at 15 and I couldnt top him on 16 and he then played really solid, Furyk said. Theres always a purpose, always have a goal in mind every day. That was when everything else became a Go, including his first professional win in more than seven years. He works tremendously hard but he works very smart. Column: Isnt it time we heard from Georgia coach Kirby Smart? 18 as Furyk desperately attempted to make up that stroke. Thank goodness we kind of did have a little break, because I kind of struggled, missed a few fairways early on. It was a good week, said Stricker, who carded rounds of 67-65-70 for 14 under. Steven Alker tees of on the seventh hole during the final round of the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. A golf lifer, if there was a tourhe found it. Bernhard Langer is one win away from history. Unfortunately he passed away about four years ago so he didnt get to see this. Alker won $305,000, pushing his total to $896,207 in just nine tournaments since he qualified for the Boeing Classic outside Seattle in late August for his Champions Photo: Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic, https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2022/11/13/steven-alker-pga-tour-champions-2022-charles-schwab-cup/, Mexico, Caribbean, Atlantic islands, Central America, Top 50 Classic Courses in Great Britain & Ireland, Top 50 Modern Courses in Great Britain & Ireland, PGA Tour approves radical schedule changes, reducing fields in elevated events and ending cuts, Drivers used by PGA Tour pros ranked in the top 10 in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee. Alker won three times before June 1 and then won for a series-tying fourth time to open the Schwab playoffs. That's very obvious.". Steven Alker lines up a putt on on the fourth green during the final round of the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. Monday qualifying is a thing of the past. BOCA RATON Four months ago, few golf fans had heard of Steven Alker. It doesnt matter what the struggle was. But Im just most proud of shooting low scores. So he went to the Boeing feeling pretty good about his game, but not really knowing what to expect. Alker won four times on the Korn Ferry Tour between 2003 and 2014. Thats a huge trait for caddies. That gave him a two-stroke victory over Furyk and Miguel Angel Jimenez. He has been a member of the PGA Tour of Australasia since 1995. Your email address will not be published. THE MATERIAL ON THIS SITE MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED, DISTRIBUTED, TRANSMITTED, CACHED OR OTHERWISE USED, EXCEPT WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF DISCOVERY GOLF, INC. 2023 DISCOVERY GOLF, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, The mastery (and mystery) of Steven Alker continues with his victory in the Senior PGA Championship. He did win four times, but missed the cut in nearly half those starts. Alex Cejka went 6 under for his final round to finish 11 under for the tournament, finishing fourth. Yeah, keep making pars and birdies, or its back to the Korn Ferry Tour. Its a home game this week (Alker has made his permanent home in Phoenix for the past 12 years), lot of friends and family will be here. He has run a municipal course in his native Texas. The season finale is in Phoenix, Ariz., at Phoenix Country Club, and Langer will be trying to win the Charles Schwab Cup for a sixth time. The first ever tournament I attended in person was the '96 Queensland Open here in Aus, and I believe it was Alker's first win. He and Michael Camp Its just all coming together. And while Alker will always remember that long putt, Furyk will look back on No. Ive played everywhere. The magical mystery tour continued for Steven Alker on Sunday, when the man who came from nowhere added a major championship to his inexplicably remarkable PGA Tour Champions run. Its been a great run. I would have been a little surprised if youd told me it would turn out like this, yeah, Alker said. Sundays victory marked his eighth top-10 finish in nine starts. WebFollow your favorite pro golfer, Steven Alker. Its been an amazing journey and just to be here and to have this opportunity has been amazing., I like red wine, he said. Canadian Mike Weir won last years championship. Steven Alker lifts the champions' trophy after winning the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. Im sort of in tournament mode. Now, after the first two events in the Charles Schwab Cup,he has risen to No 22 in the standings with the championship coming up next weekend in Phoenix. Paul Goydos wants to know, too, asking where hes been the past 50 years. For winning the tournament, Harrington earned the first-place prize of $440,000, bringing his season total to $3,293,255. [1] He finished 20th in the Web.com Tour Finals to earn his PGA Tour card for the 201415 season. He turned professional in 1995. The top three finishers Alker, Stricker and Jobe came into the final 18 holes atop the leader board at 12 under. It hasnt sunk in. Steven Alker tees off on the seventh hole during the final round of the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. He returned to the Nationwide Tour (now Web.com Tour) in 2009. Im scoring so well. Also learn how He earned most of networth at the age of 49 years old? We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 28 July. He lost 30 pounds over the past six months. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. We have a second career. Its a second car and were so grateful for that. He hasnt played in a PGA Tour event since 2017 and he spent the majority of his pro career slogging through Korn Ferry Tour events. THE WOODLANDS Before lightning caused more than a two-hour suspension of play at the Insperity Invitational on Sunday, Steven Alker, Steve Stricker and Brandt Jobe were all battling for the lead. Best irons for 2023 for every handicap and playing style, LPGA: HSBC Women's Champions celebrates 15 years of star-studded champions, Jessica Korda turns 30 and Brooke Henderson reunites with lost luggage, Three sleeper picks to win the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational, including Tommy Fleetwood at 80/1, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. So, how much is Steven Alker worth at the age of 51 years old? Like a power leak at times. All rights reserved. He showed this weekend that his game is sharp, even though at times he experienced fatigue. Kelly spent some time in Arizona, where his wife was undergoing cancer treatment. He never relinquished the lead although Furyk caught him for three holes until that clutch putt on No. That ended with a T7 at the Boeing Classic, which meant he automatically qualified for the next tournament. Alkers third-place finish is worth $210,000, bringing his 2022 total $3,544,425 and career total to $4,710,632. Just trying to stay in the moment see that big stop sign and get all the thoughts out of my head, he said after shooting a 68 to cap a 17-under 199 for his first Tour Champions title. Alkers completed 72 holes in 16-under par 268. This run that were on is phenomenal. With nine birdies, Alker fired a final-round, 8-under 63, the low round of the week, to win by three shots over Stephen Ames and six over Bernhard Langer. That's very obvious.". Let's go for it. Even Harringtons blistering weekend scores of 62 and 65 had no bearing on the steady Alker. I think theres gonna be many more, Workman said. He got in thanks a strong Monday qualifier score, a rout he had to take because he had no status on the tour. Hes pretty easygoing. In 2016, Alker played in The Open Championship after tying for second place in the Final Qualifying event held at the Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club. He Monday-qualified for his first event on the 50-and-older circuit in late August and rattled off six consecutive top-10 finishes to keep earning a spot in the next tournament. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The second car? The highest he has reached was the Youve got to keep being competitive and he did that. From there, he kept getting into more Champions events because he kept stacking up top-10s. He also finished runner-up at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai and the ClubCorp Classic; losing in a playoff on both occasions. Theyre in the field for the finale courtesy of the victory, which propelled Alker into the top 36 in the Schwab Cup standings. Alker now is $3,467,568 richer and a four-time winner on PGA TOUR Champions. He played on the European Tour in 1998 and 1999, also competing on Europe's developmental Challenge Tour in 1999. Its all been life-changing in terms of security, a place to play and financially, that comes with it. I think I'm comfortable right now playing with these guys, but giving yourself chances, I think that's the biggest thing. 14 at Mitsubishi In the second round of the 2023 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai, Steven Alker makes I didn't know much about him, either, Furyk said. He enters the 36-man Charles Schwab Cup Championship in 22nd place after starting on the outside at 46th in the points race. I watched Steven play on the European Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, and all of the sudden out here, wow, the runner-up Ames said. I remember him deflecting the compliment, said Kelly, who like Alker has won three times this season and is his closest pursuer in the Schwab Cup standings. Alker played in the final grouping Sunday and entered the third and final round tied with Furyk one shot behind Tim Petrovic. And he was saying grab it by the (horns) and go for it. Id been building to it with all of these top-10s and trying to get in that position to win. In the second of the two playoff events last year, Alker found victory lane at the TimberTech Championship. He made 80 European Tour starts and missed the cut in 42, with only a single top 10. He won the season-long 2022 Charles Schwab Cup on the PGA Tour Champions. Biding his time on the Korn Ferry Tour until he turned 50 on July 28, doing the hard yards as he put it, Alker had been a frequent visitor to Champions Tour leader boards. I love my 5-wood. PGA TOUR, PGA TOUR Champions, and the Swinging Golfer design are registered trademarks. I was playing well and trending and thats kind of what happens with my game, Alker said. His best finish in a major was 19that the 2012 British Open. From the PGA Tour of Australasia (yes, there is such a thing) to the Korn Ferry Tour to the Canadian Tour to 86 starts on the PGA Tour in which he missed 47 cuts. He overtook Petrovic with a 12-foot birdie putt on No. With a Harrington win, any finish inside the top five would have been good enough for Alker. Alker remained calm and even gained a stroke on Furyk with a birdie on No. Those are the ones. Because Ive come a long way in just a month.. The delay did Alker good. Golf's always about giving yourself chances and eventually it will happen.. Bernhard Langer is one win away from history. In 2007 and 2008, he went back to Europe to play on the European and Challenge tours. Being amongst these guys and the enthusiasm they still have for playing theres still that grind and enthusiasm to play, compete and still wanting to win is a great environment to be in. [4] Alker continued this form into the 2022 season, recording wins at the Rapiscan Systems Classic and the Insperity Invitational. Jimenez gave himself a chance with three consecutive birdies on the back nine to get within a shot of the lead. Ive been having chances. This is a carousel. That ended with a third-place finish and a spot in the next event. He recalled a conversation with Jerry Kelly during the offseason. Steven Alker was born on 28 July, 1971 in Hamilton, New Zealand. Not bad for someone who had to wait until he turned 50 to get a tee time on the second-chance tour. Alker has made more money in the past 12 months than he had in his entire professional golf career. Alker had to top-10 at the Boeing last year or he would have been right back to Monday qualifying. Brandt Jobe plays a shot from a bunker on the first hole during the final round of the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. Sunday marked Alkers third win on PGA Tour Champions (17 starts) with all three titles coming in his last nine starts, and its his second win in his last three tournaments. GOLF DIGEST MAY EARN A PORTION OF SALES FROM PRODUCTS THAT ARE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR SITE AS PART OF OUR AFFILIATE PARTNERSHIPS WITH RETAILERS. Workman said when he gets back to Texas after this weeks finale he has a friend in Austin lined up to frame the flag. Ive always hated the fact that Ping players seem to have full Ping bags. We have estimated Kevin Sutherland plays a shot from a bunker on the first hole during the final round of the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. All rights reserved. In 2000, he won the Canadian Tour Order of Merit, before moving to the United States to compete on the Nationwide Tour in 2002. On Sunday, he clinched his first PGA Tour Champions series title at Phoenix Country Club, punctuating his win with a big smile and a fist pump on the 18th green. But that will change. With the win, Alker had earned $896,207 in nine senior He started the second round birdie-eagle-birdie and shot 29 on the Old Courses back nine to sit just one behind co-leaders Furyk and Tim Petrovic entering Sunday. With the win, Alker had earned $896,207 in nine senior tournaments after turning 50 years of age in July 2021. I think right now, I've matured and it's a second wind. It was a whole kind of different perspective. He has caddied in an estimated 400-plus events, he said in 2021, for pros including Tag Ridings, Jon Curran, AJ McInerney and Brad Elder. They shared a four-shot lead over their closest competitor, Ken Duke. THE MATERIAL ON THIS SITE MAY NOT BE REPRODUCED, DISTRIBUTED, TRANSMITTED, CACHED OR OTHERWISE USED, EXCEPT WITH THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF DISCOVERY GOLF, INC. 2023 DISCOVERY GOLF, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Steven Alker wins TimberTech Championship,continues outlandish start to senior career, Bernhard Langers lead in the season-long Charles Schwab Cup points race. The past had been a perennial grind for Alker. I follow absolutely zero Champions Tour coverage so will forgive myself for asking who?! That said OP, you might have more luck with this over in t He fired four rounds in the 60s, including a closing 63. Hes not one whos going to spend eight hours on the range just to say hes practicing. The two were able to practice together a couple of times, and Kelly, a three-time winner on the PGA TOUR, had to convince Alker that he belonged among the elite on PGA TOUR Champions. Alker, 50, came from four shots down at the start of the final round, shot an eight-under 63 at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor, Mich., and won the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship by three, his third win in his last five starts and his fourth in 19 starts as a senior. Highlights Steven Alker makes birdie on No. This was his third win in five starts and fourth in 19 as a senior.[7]. Its also his 10th consecutive below-par round after shooting his second-lowest 36-hole score. Meanwhile, Alker got his much-waited victory. Thirty-two events and $4,710,612 later, Steven Alker has reached new heights. Brandt Jobe reads his yardage book on the fourth green during the final round of the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. Alker, who played only three seasons on the PGA Tour and never finished better than 17th, posted 17-under 199. Youve just gotta own it. It sunk in. Steve Stricker tees off on the seventh hole during the final round of the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. BOCA RATONAll Steven Alker needed was to see was that Big Stop Sign.. I thought, well, if I can come out and do many some Mondays, Tuesdays, do some events and try to qualify and get some events under my belt, that would be great, he said. I can redo my 12-year-old kitchen, too. Langer can get career win No. Ill ask his caddie to get a pics for you. Give me a week or two New Level PF-2 irons. The calendar change to 2022 didnt slow him down. Life has changed a lot in the last year, said Alker, who grew up playing tennis and cricket along with golf. One framed flag doesnt a wall make. Steven Alker, who had to qualify for his first PGA Tour Champions event three months ago, fired a 68 for a 2-shot win in the TimberTech Championship Sunday in Driver: Ping G25 (8.5 degrees @10.5) Shaft: Project X 6.5 (45.25 inches, tipped 1 inch) 3-wood: Ping Anser (14.5 Its really cool. Steven Craig Alker (born 28 July 1971) is a professional golfer from New Zealand who plays on the PGA Tour Champions, where he has won five events.
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