Steven Alker of New Zealand returned to the winner’s circle when he drained a 12-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to defeat Jason Caron at the Cologuard Classic on Sunday in Tucson, Ariz.
Alker charged up the leaderboard late Sunday with an eagle and three consecutive birdies on his back nine. Alker shot his second straight round of 5-under 66, finishing at 12-under 201 in regulation.
He and Caron, who also posted a 66, returned to the 18th tee at La Paloma Country Club. He sank a straight, midrange birdie putt for the win to complete a comeback from four shots off the pace.
Alker, 53, burst onto the scene by winning the Charles Schwab Cup season-long title as a rookie in 2022. The Cologuard is his ninth win on the PGA Tour Champions, but his first since January 2024.
“Just got to keep knocking on the door,” Alker said on the Golf Channel broadcast. “You know how it is, you just grind away. I’ve been top-10s, top-5s, just been in the hunt, so it’s just being patient, just working hard on the body this preseason.”
Alker made a lengthy eagle putt at the par-5 11th to get to 9 under before birdieing Nos. 15, 16 and 17.
Caron, who was searching for his first Champions win, birdied Nos. 16, 17 and 18 to join the playoff.
Australians Rod Pampling (67) and Greg Chalmers (71) were in contention but finished one off the pace in a tie for third. Chalmers led the tournament after each of the first two rounds.
“It’s a lot of fun, and the competition’s just getting so good. The Aussies coming out and the new blood, so it’s getting good,” Alker said. “You’ve just got to keep getting better.”
Ernie Els of South Africa (70) finished fifth at 10 under.
–Field Level Media
