Steve Alker atop the leaderboard again in Texas
Steve Alker – file photo PGA of America
New Zealand’s Steve Alker might not have won on the PGA Tour Champions in his four starts to date this season but with a three-shot lead heading into the final round of an event he won twelve months ago, he has a great chance to add a 6th PGA Tour Champions title to his name.
51 year old Alker won the Insperity Invitational by four shots last year and despite finding the water and taking bogey at the last in today’s second round of the event in Woodlands near Houston In Texas, he enjoys a three shot break over Ernie Els, Mat Gogel and David Toms.
Alker took time out of his schedule to play the New Zealand Open in his homeland in early March, missing two PGA Tour Champions events in the process but since his return he has been runner-up and 11th in his two starts and appears on track to win this event for the second occasion.
Today, with his son Ben on the bag, Alker handled the difficult windy conditions well, his round of 69 the only one in the 60’s.
“He’s doing great,” said Alker referring to his son’s work on the bag. “He was even better today. He was on the
ball — we talked about clubs. We actually joked a little bit more today because I tried to loosen him up. He was a little bit nervous yesterday, and I got him to loosen up and we were having a good laugh out there at times, especially on the front nine we were having fun.”
“Actually, it was fun,” added Alker referring to the breezy conditions.. “I’m from New Zealand, so we get the wind, and it was a little softer out there today. You just kind of had to work your golf ball. Just had to play it and hit the spots, and I feel like I did that pretty well most of the day.”
