Golf NZ Professional News- Kiwis overseas
Steve Alker continues to impress on the Champions Tour with his third top-10 in as many starts.
The Ally Challenge - Final Round
GRAND BLANC, MI - AUGUST 29: Steven Alker plays his tee shot on the fourth hole during the final round of The Ally Challenge at Warwick Hills Golf and Country Club on August 29, 2021 in Grand Blanc, Michigan. (Photo by Stan Badz/PGA TOUR)
His third top-10 came at this week’s Ascension Charity Classic after shooting rounds of 71, 68, 68 to finish in a share of ninth at six-under-par. David Toms finished four shots ahead of Alker to win the event.
The newly turned 50-year-old moved 13 places up the leaderboard on the final day. He got off to a solid start and made the turn at one-under after taking advantage of the par 5 second and eighth holes while bogeying the fifth.
Alker opened with three pars to start his back nine before making birdies at the 13th and 15th to get to three-under for the day. He bogeyed 17 but managed to finish his round off in style with a birdie on 18.
After Monday qualifying just to make the field at the Boeing Classic a few weeks ago, Alker has made the most of his opportunities and is projected to move into 65th on the Charles Schwab Cup money list.
Meanwhile, Daniel Hillier has finished in a tie for 12th at the Big Green Egg German Challenge on the Challenge Tour.
NEUBURG AN DER DONAU, GERMANY - SEPTEMBER 11: Daniel Hillier of New Zealand in action during Day Three of the Big Green Egg German Challenge powered by VcG at Wittelsbacher Golf Club on September 11, 2021 in Neuburg an der Donau, Germany. (Photo by Johannes Simon/Getty Images)
Hillier recorded his best finish on the Challenge Tour since June following rounds of 67, 71, 71, and 69 to finish at six-under for the tournament, finishing six shots back of Spain’s Angel Hidalgo, who won by two.
The 23-year-old moved up four spots on the final day after getting his final round off to a solid start with four birdies in his opening 10 holes. He went on to make three bogeys from the 11th to fall back to one-under.
He salvaged another birdie at the 15th and parred his way in, meaning he’d record the fourth top-15 finish of his European campaign.
Fellow New Zealander Josh Geary missed the cut by three.
Michael Campbell made his return to the Staysure Tour this week, playing in the Scottish Senior Open.
The former US Open champion shot rounds of 70, 72, and 71 to finish at even and in a tie for 12th.
Michael Long finished a shot further back in a share of 19th.
On the Japan Seniors Tour, David Smail has carded rounds of 72, 72, and 66 at the Komatsu Open to finish at six-under-par and in a tie for 19th.
Smail rocketed 16 spots up the leaderboard after his final round of six-under, where he made seven birdies and the lone bogey.
Back in Europe, James Hydes has finished in a tie for 47th at the Motocaddy Masters on the PGA Euro Pro Tour.
Hydes finished at four-under following rounds of 65, 69, and 72, 16-shots back of the champion.
Finally, Ryan Fox has finished in a tie for 63rd at the BMW PGA Championship on the European Tour.
The big-hitting kiwi shot rounds of 73, 69, 71 and 73 finish at two-under.
Fox is now 99th in the Race to Dubai Standings, with the top 115 gaining status for next year.