Any person that's an un-name player coming out, getting a name for himself the way he's been doing, it is phenomenal.. I rolled off a nice run after that. Alker credited the Korn Ferry Tour for getting him ready for PGA TOUR Champions. 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. With a check for $305,000, the Kiwi has earned $896,207 more than he made in his PGA Tour careerin just nine tournaments since he qualified for the Boeing Classic outside Seattle in late August for his PGA Tour Champions debut. Now hes public enemy No. Its really cool. Learn how your comment data is processed. Equipment is accurate as of the AT&T Championship (Champions) (10/28/13) Driver: Titleist 910D2 (9.5) Shaft: Mitsubishi Bassara W 50 3-wood: Hideki Matsuyama whats in the bag accurate as of the 2023 WM Phoenix Open. Because Ive come a long way in just a month.. It was huge, Alker said. Last week, he finished tied for second at the ClubCorp Classic in Irving, losing in a three-man playoff that Scott Parel won. Maybe its a Kiwi thing. I can hit all sorts of different shots with it thats the great thing.. He went on to record six consecutive top-10s. 15 on the Old Course at Broken Sound Sunday to take a one shot lead over Jim Furyk in the TimberTech Championship. Its been great.. He had played in 10 events, posted nine top-10s and pocketed $1,146,207. Id been building to it with all of these top-10s and trying to get in that position to win. The victory came at the second playoff event, the TimberTech Championship. These small things that we just havent had and kind of needed to do we have security going forward.. His net worth has been growing significantly in 2021-2022. Youve just gotta own it. It sunk in. Padraig Harrington says that "54-hole golf is not 72-hole golf. In 2007 and 2008, he went back to Europe to play on the European and Challenge tours. Needless to say, he has surpassed his own expectations. The history in the wake of his senior debut is ancient and now largely forgotten, though Stephen Ames remembers. 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. Alker has competed on several tours around the world. Im shooting low rounds and keeping rounds going, said Alker, who posted scores of 67-65-66. I'll have to win in Phoenix.. MORE: Phil Mickelson commits to playing in PGA Tour Champions season finale. He has been a member of the PGA Tour of Australasia since 1995. A career journeyman until joining the PGA Tour Champions, Steven Alker won the KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship, his fourth victory in 19 senior starts 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. Then came his 50th birthday on July 28 and another whole new world (tour?) I would have loved to have won this event and then really made it probably a two-man race with Bernhard and I, Furyk said. Jimenez gave himself a chance with three consecutive birdies on the back nine to get within a shot of the lead. I didn't know much about him, either, Furyk said. Alker had to top-10 at the Boeing last year or he would have been right back to Monday qualifying. I dont want to mix drinks tonight, wont be a good idea, but well have a couple. He mentioned the other part, too his father. Ive been having chances. 2023 www.palmbeachpost.com. Scorers watch from the scoreboard near the 18th green during the final round of the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. Its all been life-changing in terms of security, a place to play and financially, that comes with it. Winning the TimberTech changes everything for Alkers second act in his professional career. Alker played in the final grouping Sunday and entered the third and final round tied with Furyk one shot behind Tim Petrovic. We never changed a thing, said Sam Workman, Alkers caddy for the last three years. Not sure about the clubs, but you want to feed him an apple, use an open flat palm. Im really enjoying that part of it.. Nursing a one-stroke lead heading to the par-5 home hole at The Old Course at Broken Sound, Alker finished off a four-under 68 in style with one last birdie to rally past second-round co-leaders Furyk and Tim Petrovic. The mystery is how this journeyman, a native New Zealander who had never found a home in professional golf, turned 50, played his way onto the senior tour and immediately became a dominant player. He has spent time as a teaching pro. It doesnt matter what the struggle was. She lets me drive it, but its her car, Alker said. Simply put, the man has had one hell of a ride the past year, one he didnt expect in his wildest dreams. 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. I watched Steven play on the European Tour, Korn Ferry Tour, and all of the sudden out here, wow, the runner-up Ames said. Alker won four times on the Korn Ferry Tour between 2003 and 2014. is 1.8m and Weight 65kg. Steven Alker lifts the champions' trophy after winning the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. Its also his 10th consecutive below-par round after shooting his second-lowest 36-hole score. That's the biggest thing, I've had these 18 months, two years, 50s coming up, so let's stay in shape. He overtook Petrovic with a 12-foot birdie putton No. Alker uses the word neat a lot. He becomes another international player to win the Insperity. Brandt Jobe tees off on the seventh hole during the final round of the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. Discover Steven Alker's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. 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. USE OF AND/OR REGISTRATION ON ANY PORTION OF THIS SITE CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF OURVISITOR AGREEMENT(UPDATED 1/6/23),PRIVACY AND COOKIES NOTICE(UPDATED 1/4/23) ANDCALIFORNIA PRIVACY NOTICE. Heres what you need to know. 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 then walked to the side of the green, closed his eyes and started talking to no one but himself. Steven Alker pitches his third shot onto the first green during the final round of the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. Meanwhile, Alker got his much-waited victory. Rounds of 67-73-67 in his first Champions event netted him a tie for seventh in the 2021 Boeing Classic, and that would be it for his Monday qualifying days as that top-10 finish earned him a spot in the field the next week at the Ally Challenge, where he finished solo third. Eventually you do that enough, you win a tournament.. 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. And then a T7 and you get the gist. I was only one ahead of Jim. 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. I always know I've been good, but to play with these guys, it's just a matter of feeling comfortable, Alker said. But until Sunday with PGA TOUR Champions rookie Steven Alker, he had never looped for a victory. I guess it's just been building, said Alker, who made his senior debut after Monday qualifying at the Boeing Classic in mid-August and ran off six straight top-10 finishes to repeatedly earn a start in the succeeding event. 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. He didnt make a bogey until the 12th hole Sunday. Hes certainly not a household name not even among professional golfers. Alker followed with a runner-up finish in the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship. Honestly, just having friends and family and the support here this week has been amazing, said Alker, who has lived in Arizona since 2002. But playing golf is what he does and has since he began tagging along with his father in Hamilton when he was 10. Monday qualified in Seattle last year, now Charles Schwab Cup leader, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. What a state takeover of HISD could mean for parents, students, Houston ISD to face TEA state takeover, Turner says, In Fertitta's members-only club, where photos, media are banned, Study: Low-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack, stroke risk, 750-home agrihood with farm, car-free zones breaks ground, HCC chancellor to leave role at end of contract, Popular breakfast taco spot in Houston announces a comeback, Opinion: 'Dilbert' readers can discern the wheat from the chaff, Loss to TCU sinks Texas' hopes of playing for Big 12 championship. He recalled a conversation with Jerry Kelly during the offseason. I love my 5-wood. That he does, now that he has assured himself of no more Monday qualifiers for at least a couple of years. This is a carousel. He got in thanks a strong Monday qualifier score, a rout he had to take because he had no status on the tour. The Boeing Classic begins on Friday; Alker, who has made his permanent home in Arizona since 2010, isnt even flying to the Seattle area until Wednesday. He had turned 50 on July 28, and this was his first chance to give it a go. 1, sitting atop the Charles Schwab Cup standings with three victories in 13 events in what is his first full season. Alker played the par 5s in 9 under over the three rounds. 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. Workman said when he gets back to Texas after this weeks finale he has a friend in Austin lined up to frame the flag. I think I'm comfortable right now playing with these guys, but giving yourself chances, I think that's the biggest thing. But Alker regrouped, and another 67 pushed him into a tie for seventh and an automatic spot in the Ally Challenge. The seemingly ageless Bernhard Langer, 64, who briefly shared the lead with both Alker and Ames on the back nine, made three consecutive bogeys, then a double bogey on 18 to shoot 71 and fall to third place. I can't put my finger on one thing exactly. WITB Time Machine: Chris DiMarco WITB 2013. He said that partially explained his emotional state in the video below. While Alker is a fit, lean 50 year old, many of his opponents on the tour are former superstars who are climbing into their 60s. A golf lifer, if there was a tourhe found it. His 18-under 198 total is the lowest PGA Tour Champions tournament score at The Woodlands Country Club Tournament Course. He doesn't really seem to have any weaknesses. He did that six consecutive weeks until falling off to a T15 at the SAS Championship. One framed flag doesnt a wall make. He works tremendously hard but he works very smart. He just stays so even and calm out on the course. This amount was more than he made in his PGA Tour career. Copyright 2023 PGA TOUR, Inc. All rights reserved. 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. PGA Tour of Australasia playoff record (01). Copyright 2020 GolfWRX Holdings, LLC. On Aug. 15, 2021, Alker was arriving in the Seattle area in order to attempt to Monday qualify for the Boeing Classic. [1] He finished 20th in the Web.com Tour Finals to earn his PGA Tour card for the 201415 season. Moreover, in his last five starts, he has finished first, tied for second, first, tied for third and first. Its all a bit of whirlwind. 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 He overtook Petrovic with a 12-foot birdie Alker, the New Zealand native who moved to Arizona in 2002, has seen a lot of stop signs in his career. Its bitter there, but kind of told him on the 18th green I was really happy for him. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. When he came to Texas in 1996, the upper Midwesttransplant wouldn't have imagined heading a program that would give him four state championships. 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. 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. There were lot of circles on the scorecard for Alker, who completely took charge of the championship. He came alive on the back nine, going 6 under over a six-hole stretch that contributed to his four-shot victory over Stricker and Jobe. 14 at Mitsubishi In the second round of the 2023 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai, Steven Alker makes He continued his run with a birdie on the 16th hole before bogeying the final hole. Langer can get career win No. New Level PF-2 irons. That ended with a third-place finish and a spot in the next event. 18 as Furyk desperately attempted to make up that stroke. Padraig Harrington says that "54-hole golf is not 72-hole golf. Not before Alker signs it, of course. Caddie He struggled on the front nine Sunday, playing his first six holes in one-over. Sundays victory marked his eighth top-10 finish in nine starts. Bernhard Langer is one win away from history. 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. Alker had just rolled in a 25-foot birdie putt on No. The struggle led to this. He has run a municipal course in his native Texas. 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. Now I can play some courses Ive seen and kind of set a schedule. Lot of things, Alker said, attempting to explain his meteoric rise. Steven Alker acknowledges the gallery after his victory in the Insperity Invitational golf tournament, Sunday, May 1, 2022, in The Woodlands, TX. Langer can get career win No. Finally, he converted for his first win since he registered the last of his four Korn Ferry titles at the 2014 Cleveland Open. And he was saying grab it by the (horns) and go for it. Alker played in the final grouping Sunday and entered the third and final round tied with Furyk one shot behind Tim Petrovic. 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. 16 when he missed an 8-foot birdie putt that would have pulled him back into a tie with Alker and put the pressure on the rookie for the final two holes. K.J. We have estimated Jerry is fantastic. A second-place finish at Phoenix Country Club the following week capped a whirlwind stretch and put $1,146,207 into his bank account. [5][6], In May 2022, Alker won his first senior major championship at the 2022 KitchenAid Senior PGA Championship at The Golf Club at Harbor Shores in Benton Harbor, Michigan. No forgiveness needed I don't suspect a lot of people do. I appreciate the tip for the Forum post. Alker is from New Zealand - grinded the KF To I just tried to convey that this is who you are now. Ill ask his caddie to get a pics for you. Give me a week or two Solomon: DeMeco Ryans the right coach at the right time, 3 pressing questions facing new Astros GM Dana Brown, Jabari Smith Jr. growing up in NBA with an assist from his father, Poor parent behavior is driving high school sports refs away. 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. He also finished runner-up at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai and the ClubCorp Classic; losing in a playoff on both occasions. Petrovic struggled to a 74 after an early birdie had staked him to a two-stroke lead and ended up five back at 212. He birdied the 15th and 16th holes to go two ahead, a lead that increased to three when Ames bogeyed the 17th. Alker had announced last week that Workman With many more to come. He did the best job of getting the ball from point A to point B. Alker, who was co-leader after the first and second rounds, birdied holes 11, 12, 13 and then made a game-changing eagle 3 on 15. Seven years or 2,907 days. Its a Mini Cooper. Next week well sit down and think about what weve done and the win and it will sink in a bit more then., Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. (Photo: Rob Schumacher/The Arizona Republic-USA TODAY NETWORK), The fact is he was always a nice player, Harrington said Wednesday before the championship got started. The Korn Ferry trademark is also a registered trademark, and is used in the Korn Ferry Tour logo with permission. 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. Alker turned 50 on July 28 and two weeks later qualified for the Boeing Classic. But he never really had any measure of success on the PGA TOUR. 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