Golf NZ Professional News - Alker, Hiller, Ko

Steve Alker is proving to be the hottest player on the Champions Tour in recent weeks.

PURE Insurance Championship - Final Round

PEBBLE BEACH, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Steven Alker of New Zealand sinks his birdie putt attempt on the seventh hole during the Final round of the PURE Insurance Championship at the Pebble Beach Golf Links on September 26, 2021 in Pebble Beach, California. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)

The newcomer to the Champions Tour has kept his perfect record of finishing inside the top-10 since he earned his first start intact, finishing in a share of fifth at this week’s PURE Insurance Championship.

Alker fired 71, 69, and 67 around Pebble Beach to finish at nine-under-par, four shots back of the champion KJ Choi. He also moves up four places in the Schwab Cup money list into 59th, with the top 72 players making it through to the playoff event.

The 50-year-old moved up seven spots on Sunday courtesy of birdies at the second, sixth, and seventh holes to make the turn at two-under following a bogey at eight; his only blemish of the day.

Alker added three more birdies to his tally at 13, 14, and 16 to sign for a final round of five-under.

He’s now finished a share of ninth, a tie for seventh twice, a tie for fifth, and a third-place in his five starts on tour this year.

Meanwhile, Daniel Hillier has added another impressive result to his tally on the Challenge Tour.

Open de Portugal at Royal Óbidos - Day Three

OBIDOS, PORTUGAL - SEPTEMBER 25: Daniel Hillier of New Zealand plays his third shot on the 11th hole during Day Three of the Open de Portugal at Royal Obidos at Royal Obidos Spa & Golf Resort on September 25, 2021 in Obidos, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images)

Hillier has recorded his best finish on the tour after rounds of 69, 66, 71, and 70 to finish at 12-under, seven shots behind Marcel Schneider in a share of sixth.

He moves up eight positions in the Challenge Tour Rankings into 41st, with the top 15 gaining status on the European Tour next year.

Fellow countryman Josh Geary finished nine shots further back in a tie for 44th.

Finally, Lydia Ko returned to the LPGA Tour after a few weeks off following the Olympics and The Women’s Open Championship.

Ko has finished at eight-under in a share of 25th after shooting rounds of 68, 70, and 67, eight shots back of Japan’s Nasa Hataoka.

The 24-year-old had a little bit of rust to get rid of in the opening two rounds, and she showed no signs of that rust during the final day.

Ko made birdies at 11 and 18 with bogeys at 13 and 15 to turn at even and four-under for the tournament. She managed to light up the back nine with three birdies in a row from the first, with a final birdie coming at the seventh to sign for the round of her tournament.

She remains second on the Race to CME Globe.