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Steven Alker pipped for second major title

Steven Alker pipped for second major title

RNZ News23-06-2025
Steven Alker of New Zealand during the Kaulig Companies Championship 2025 at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio.
Photo:
David Berding / Getty Images / AFP
New Zealand golfer Steven Alker has missed out on a second senior major title.
Alker has been beaten by Spaniard Maguel Angel Jimenez in a play-off at the Kaulig Companies Championship in Ohio.
Alker was chasing his second major title on the over-50 tour after winning the Senior PGA Championship in 2022.
Alker and Jimenez started the final round in a tie for the lead, holding a two shot lead.
The pair had a couple of early birdies each with Alker then taking the lead with a third at the sixth.
Alker was two ahead during the back nine, but that lead was back to one as they went to the 18th.
Alker parred the last, while Jimenez birdied to force a play-off.
The first play-off hole was parred, however the 53-year-old Kiwi put his tee shot wide on the second hole allowing Jimenez to win with a birdie.
Alker pockets NZ$518,000 for his second place.
Jimenez has won for the fourth time this year and today's victory was his third senior major.
Meanwhile, in a major tournament on the LPGA Tour, Dame Lydia Ko finished in a tie for 12th at the PGA Championship in Texas.
Australian Minjee Lee won for her third major title.
And Ryan Fox finished tied for 17th at the latest PGA Tour event in Connecticut.
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