Dubai: Steven Alker of New Zealand, current leader of the 2022 Schwab Cup Money List on the PGA Champions Tour, leads alongside Bob Estes (US) after first round 64’s in the $3.25 million Senior PGA Championship at Benton Harbor, Michigan, US, the second senior Major of the year which will continue till Sunday (May 29).
Alker, now 50 years old, is the story of the year so far on the PGA Champions Tour. Less than nine months ago, he didn’t even have a status on the PGA Champions Tour and has now amassed more than $2 million in earnings, three victories, and top 10’s in 15 of his 18 total starts.
Dubai-based Jeev Milkha Singh (India) returned a five-over par 76 over the Jack Nicklaus designed layout in his first Senior Major of his career to lie in tied 124th.
Starting on the 10th tee, Jeev started with a double bogey on his opening hole, the 539 yards par-five hole. He responded with a birdie two on the next.
A bogey followed on hole 16 to be out in 37.
On Jeev’s back nine, another bogey followed on hole 2, his 11th, which saw him stand 3 over par with seven to play. A second double of the round on hole 6 saw him home in 39 and an 18 hole score of 76.
In the second round on Friday, Jeev is scheduled to tee up from Tee 1 alongside Americans David Duval (76) and Mark Calcavvechia (73).
Defending champion Alex Cejka (Ger) lies in tied 17th after shooting 68.
Leading First Round Scores
(Par 71, 6861 Yards)
S. Alker (NZ) 64.
B. Estes (US) 64.
P. Claxton (US) 65.
M. Weir (Can) 65.
R. Karlsson (Swe) 66.
D. Waldorf (US) 66.
Notable Others:
T7th E. Els (RSA) 67.
T7th M. Jimenez (Spain) 67.
T17th A. Cejka (Ger) 68.
T17th D. Clarke (NI) 68.
T17th S. Dodd (Wales) 68.
T 17th P. Harrington (Ire) 68.
T17th B. Langer (Ger) 68.
T 30th C. Montgomerie (Scot) 69.
