logo
Steven Alker pipped for second major title

Steven Alker pipped for second major title

RNZ News4 hours ago

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.
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero
,
a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Watch live: David Seymour speaks after Cabinet meeting
Watch live: David Seymour speaks after Cabinet meeting

RNZ News

time28 minutes ago

  • RNZ News

Watch live: David Seymour speaks after Cabinet meeting

Overseas investment decisions are being made twice as fast, following a directive from David Seymour to Land Information New Zealand (LINZ). Seymour, who holds portfolio responsibility for the Overseas Investment Act, told LINZ last year to process 80 percent of consent applications in half the statutory timeframes for decisions. He said the financial year beginning 1 July 2024 was on-track to meet expectations, with 88 percent of applications processed in half the timeframe. "Processing times have reduced by 39 percent faster than the previous financial year. The average timeframe has reduced from 71 working days in the last financial year, to 28 working days this financial year," Seymour said. "Since this financial year began, processing times have reduced by 39 percent faster than the previous financial year. The average timeframe has reduced from 71 working days in the last financial year, to 28 working days this financial year." Seymour is standing in for Christopher Luxon at this week's post-Cabinet press conference as Acting Prime Minister, but has made the announcement in his capacity as Associate Minister of Finance. He said the improvements to processing times were largely due to a new risk-based approach LINZ was taking to verifying information and streamlining consent processes, recognising that most applications were low-risk. There had been a drop in total applications for residential land development (122 between 1 July 2024 and 19 June 2025, down from 146 in the previous financial year), which Seymour said was due to poor property market conditions. He expected the numbers to bounce back as the property marked rose. LINZ still had the full statutory timeframe to process 20 percent of applications, which would allow them to manage the more complex and high-risk applications. With Parliament sitting this week for the first time in three weeks, Seymour's Overseas Investment (National Interest Test and Other Matters) Amendment Bill will also have its first reading. The Bill seeks to introduce a modified national interest test so low-risk transactions can be assessed quicker. The screening process for less sensitive assets would also be simplified. The current screening quota for investments in farmland and fishing quota would stay in place. Seymour said New Zealand currently had one of the most restrictive overseas investment regimes in the OECD. "We've paid the price in lost opportunities, lower productivity, and stagnant wages. This Bill is about reversing that," he said.

Kirifi and Tavatavanawai in, Blackadder and Havili out in first All Blacks squad of season
Kirifi and Tavatavanawai in, Blackadder and Havili out in first All Blacks squad of season

RNZ News

time2 hours ago

  • RNZ News

Kirifi and Tavatavanawai in, Blackadder and Havili out in first All Blacks squad of season

Scott Robertson, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Du'Plessis Kirifi. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/Photosport Highlanders midfielder Timoci Tavatavawai is the big inclusion to the first All Black squad, with Ethan Blackadder and David Havili the main casualties. Tavatanawai is the only new selection in the backs, while in the forwards we have four new names: Chiefs prop and hooker Ollie Norris and Brodie McAlister, Highlanders lock Fabian Holland. In naming his first squad of the year All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson said he and his fellow selectors had balanced continuity and opportunity. "Around three-quarters of the players named today were part of our squad for the 2024 Northern Tour, which is important because we want to continue to build on the rugby we were playing at the end of last year. We have balanced that with an exciting group of new and returning players who have performed during Super Rugby Pacific," Robertson said. Scott Barrett returns as All Blacks captain, with Ardie Savea and Jordie Barrett as his vice-captains. "Scott's leadership is hugely valued in this group, and well complimented by Ardie and Jordie. They will play a vital role, along with the wider player leadership group, in supporting the transition of the new players into the environment and imparting their experience to ensure the squad is set up for success." "For the five uncapped players - Ollie, Brodie, Fabian, Du'Plessis and Timoci - this is a particularly special day. These players have all impressed us with their talent and work ethic and have earned their opportunity to be part of this All Blacks squad. We know that each of these players possesses the ability to make their mark in the black jersey and we look forward to working with them over the coming weeks," Robertson said. The All Blacks also welcome back hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho and midfielder Quinn Tupaea, who have not featured for the All Blacks since 2023 and 2022 respectively. "These players have both had to work hard following the disappointment of long-term injuries, and have been outstanding during Super Rugby Pacific this year. We are thrilled to be able to welcome them back into the squad." The All Blacks squad will assemble in Auckland on 25 June to begin preparations for the first Test against France on 5 July. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

Nearly 200 people apply for 'golden visas' in 3 months
Nearly 200 people apply for 'golden visas' in 3 months

RNZ News

time2 hours ago

  • RNZ News

Nearly 200 people apply for 'golden visas' in 3 months

File photo: Nicola Willis and Erica Stanford. Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker Nearly 200 applications have been received for the so-called 'golden visa' since changes were made to liberalise access. The government made changes in April to make it easier for wealthy foreigners to gain New Zealand residency through investment. Since then, Immigration New Zealand has received 189 applications for the visa. Economic growth minister Nicola Willis said that was significantly more than the 116 appliciations received over more than two and a half years under the previous settings. "Investor migrants are clearly attracted to New Zealand's growing reputation as a safe, pro-business, high-potential economy. In a world where countries compete for dollars and talent, it's great to see New Zealand's growth prospects being recognised," she said. The changes introduced a two-pronged approach to the visa, and liberalised what could be invested in. The Growth category requires a minimum investment of $5m over three years, into higher-risk investments including managed funds and direct investments in New Zealand businesses. The Balanced category requires a minimum investment of $10m over five years, with investors being allowed to choose lower-risk investments. Under the previous settings, $15m was required for a visa, with bonds and property investments not allowed. As at June 23rd, 100 applications have been approved in principal. Of those, seven have transferred and invested their funds in New Zealand and had been granted a visa. Five of those were invested in the Growth category, and two in the Balanced. The government said that was a total minimum investment of $45m. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store