The best New Zealand golfers over the weekend
Photo:
SARAH STIER
Steven Alker's been the best of the New Zealand golfers in action on the world's major tours over the weekend.
The 53-year-old, who's been a star on the PGA's Champions Tour for several years, has finished third at the latest event in Duluth, Georgia, after shooting a seven under 65 in the final round.
His round included eight birdies and one bogey, which helped him finish on 16-under for the tournament, four shots behind the winner American Jerry Kelly.
Four time major winner Ernie Els finished second, just one shot behind Kelly.
Meantime, Lydia Ko's finished well down the standings after not firing at the Chevron Championship in Texas, the first major of the year.
Ko fired a final round one over par 73, but was never able to make an impression on the leaders during the four days, with her best round being an even par 72 in the second round.
She eventually finished a a tie for 52nd.
Japan's Mao Saigo won the tournament on the first hole of a sudden death playoff, involving four other players.
The next major on the LPGA Tour is the US Women's Open in June.
Ko has won three of the five major tournaments and has said she would like to add the US Open and PGA Championship titles to her collection before she retires.
Elsewhere Daniel Hillier scored a top 10 finish on the World Tour.
The Wellingtonian was unable to keep pace with the leaders during the final round and a one over par 73 left him in a share of ninth.
He pockets $91,000 and is fifth in the tour rankings.
Other golfers in action included Ryan Fox, Danny Lee and Ben Campbell.
Fox missed the cut playing alongside South African Garrick Higgo at the PGA Tour's Foursomes event in New Orelans, while Lee finished tied for 44th and Campbell withdrew, at the LIV golf event in Mexico City.
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