KA’UPULEHU-KONA, Hawaii — Steven Alker gained the season-opening Mitsubishi Electrical Championship at Hualalai on Saturday for his second straight PGA Tour Champions victory and eighth in 54 profession begins.
The winner of the season-ending Charles Schwab Cup Championship in November in Phoenix, Alker gained at Hualalai after ending second the earlier two years. The New Zealander took a 2-stroke lead into the ultimate spherical, then closed together with his second straight 9-under 63 for a 4-stroke victory over Harrison Frazar.
Alker, 52, had an eagle — on the par-5 seventh — and 7 birdies in his bogey-free remaining spherical to tie the match report of 25 underneath.
Frazar closed with a 65. Defending champion Steve Stricker was third at 20 underneath after a 66.
The 42-player area was made up of winners from the final two seasons, senior main champions during the last 5 years and several other sponsor exemptions.
