In Tucson, Arizona, Steven Alker claimed victory at the Cologuard Classic on Sunday, marking his ninth triumph on the PGA Tour Champions. Alker edged out Jason Caron, a club professional from Long Island, with a decisive 12-foot birdie putt on the initial playoff hole at La Paloma Country Club.
Reflecting on his win, Alker shared, “You’ve just got to keep knocking on the door. The journey involves grinding away, maintaining patience, and dedicating effort to preseason training and fitness.”
Both Alker and Caron achieved final rounds of 5-under 66, culminating in a 12-under par score of 201. In a remarkable performance on the back nine, Alker shot 5 under par, highlighted by an eagle on the par-5 11th and consecutive birdies on holes 15 through 17. Meanwhile, Caron closed his regulation play with birdies on the last three holes.
This victory marked the first playoff win in the 11-year history of the Cologuard Classic and was Alker’s first since his win at the Mitsubishi Electric Championship in January 2004. With this success, the 53-year-old native of New Zealand advanced to second place in the Charles Schwab Cup standings, trailing only Ernie Els.
Alker expressed his intentions going forward, stating, “It’s just about getting over that hurdle. I want to continue giving myself opportunities, as the game feels consistent week after week. Moving forward, I am focused on defending the Schwab Cup and maintaining momentum.”
Caron, aged 52 and the head professional at Mill River in Oyster Bay, New York, remains without a win in 13 starts on the tour for those aged 50 and over.
Greg Chalmers, who led after the initial two rounds, narrowly missed a chance to extend the contest into a playoff. His 8-foot birdie attempt on the 18th hole just slid past, resulting in a score of 71. Chalmers tied for third place at 11 under, alongside fellow Australian Rod Pampling, who shot a 67. Ernie Els completed the tournament in fifth place at 10 under, following a final round of 70.
