Steven Alker’s win of destiny in Texas

Steven Alker’s grand form on the seniors’ tour in the United States has continued.

The New Zealand golfer last month racked up his sixth win on the PGA Tour Champions when he took out the Insperity Invitational near Houston in Texas.

The winner’s purse of $US405,000 took his earnings on the over 50-year-olds’ tour to $US5.5 million. That’s about $NZ8.7 million.

But money aside this was a momentous victory.

He was playing in memory of his former caddie Sam Workman, a Texan, who died of cancer in February at the age 55.

In addition Alker’s son Ben was on his bag for the first time and a number of Workman’s family and friends were in attendance at the Woodlands Country Club.

When Alker tapped in on the last hole for a fourshot victory he pointed towards the sky to acknowledge Workman and then turned towards the crowd that had come to support him.

“Obviously you see the emotion at 18 there,” Alker said afterwards.

Many of his supporters were dressed in the orange colours of Texan basketball team the Houston Astros of which Workman was a fan.

“I saw a sea of orange today and it just reminded me of Sam,’’ Alker added.

“I had my son on the bag. It doesn’t get any better than that.”

Alker had won the same tournament last year and he became the first player since Bernhard Langer (2007-08) to repeat at the Insperity, though Langer did it at different venues. Both of Alker’s came at the Woodlands.

Alker had rounds of 66, 69 and 66 to finish at 15 under par.

“Just the whole week has been amazing, the support from everybody, and especially the orange brigade out there.

“Yeah, I couldn’t ask for more. It’s been fantastic.”

Alker, the defending Schwab Cup champion, positioned himself for the victory on the Saturday, when he was the only player in the field to shoot under 70. His three-under 69 in difficult conditions gave him a three-shot cushion that he maintained most of the final day.

Steve Stricker finished second and was complimentary of Alker.

“I played with him the first round. He played steady, putted it well, shot 6-under that first round,” Stricker said of Alker. “Then obviously yesterday was just a survival test weather-wise.

“But you know, it’s meant to be for him here really. His caddie passing a few months ago already, big Houston guy.

“I saw some Houston Astro Workman jerseys walking around the course today, saw some at breakfast this morning. It’s good that he’s going to win here. It’s kind of destiny, and it’s a feel-good story.”