Alker takes year’s earnings to $7.44m
New Zealand golfer Steve Alker claimed the major prize on the United States seniors tour, taking his year’s earnings past $7.44 million.
Alker finished third at the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in Phoenix, Arizona, yesterday. He shot a final round 68 to be eight shots behind winner Padraig Harrington, of Ireland.
But finishing inside the top five at the season-ending tournament ensured Alker, 51, held on to top the year’s money list and to earn a $1.63m bonus.
Alker’s incredible debut year on the PGA Tour Champions, saw him win four tournaments and claim 19 top-10 finishes in 24 events.
He was only outside the top 25 twice and his consistency earned him financial rewards that had eluded him on other major tours. Harrington needed to win and have Alker finish outside that top five for Harrington to claim the season-long Charles Schwab Cup in his second season on the PGA Tour Champions.
The 51-year-old Irishman took care of the winning by running away from the field, shooting 6-under 65 in breezy conditions at Phoenix Country Club. Harrington finished at 27-under 257 to break the PGA Tour Champions 72-hole record of 258 set by Tom Lehman at the 2012 Schwab Cup Championship. The 27-under matches the record set by Jack Nicklaus at the 1990 Kaulig Companies Championship. Alker never had a chance to catch Harrington but he did not need to. He kept playing his steady game and ended up with the bigger trophy.