Steve Alker wins Again

Steve Alker has dominated over the weekend to win the Rapiscan System Classic, his second Champions Tour title.

BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI - APRIL 03: Steven Alker of New Zealand celebrates after making a birdie putt on the 18th hole during the final round en route to winning the Rapiscan Systems Classic at Grand Bear Golf Club on April 03, 2022 in Biloxi, Mississippi. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

After shooting one-under 71 in the opening round at Grand Bear Golf Club in Mississippi, the 50-year-old was unstoppable in rounds two and three, shooting a 10-under 62 and a seven-under 65 to get the job done in style.

Alker took the tournament by storm courtesy of his second round, making ten birdies. He’d take a one-shot lead going into today’s final round.

They say backing up a tournament-low round can be difficult, but Alker certainly proved that theory to be wrong as he looked to close out his second Champions Tour event. He took advantage of the two par 5’s on the front nine to make the turn at two-under and remain ahead of Bob Estes.

BILOXI, MISSISSIPPI - APRIL 03: Steven Alker holds the Rapiscan Systems Classic trophy after winning the tournament with an 18-under tournament score at Grand Bear Golf Club on April 03, 2022 in Biloxi, Mississippi. (Photo by Mike Mulholland/Getty Images)

Alker began his closing nine with three birdies in a row to get to five-under and seemingly put the tournament out of reach. He put a stamp on the event with another birdie at 14 and a finishing birdie at 18. He dropped his putter like a microphone to officially close out the show.

He says it feels great to get over the line after a few weeks off.

“My game was good coming in [to the week]. I had a good couple of weeks off, and I did some solid practice, my putting has obviously improved, so yeah, it was all there. I’m not sure what happened the first day, but I freed it all up and let it go.”

The victory sees him move near the top of the Charles Schwab Cup rankings, and will go head-to-head for the remainder of the season against some household Champions Tour names.

Alker says he’s looking forward to the challenge.

“Just keep going. [Bernhard] Langer is going to keep going and Miguel is going to keep at it, so I’ll need to keep the pedal to the metal. I’d like to focus on some majors and a couple of big ones. My wife is English so, the Senior Open and things,” he smiles.

“I’m just enjoying myself and trying to give myself chances to win.”