Steven Alker will play in the 2025 New Zealand Open. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
PGA Tour Champions season victor Steven Alker has designs on finally winning the New Zealand Open next year.
Alker, who won the season-long Charles Schwab Cup on the Champions tour last month for the second time, has twice finished second in the NZ Open - in 2001 and 2002.
His first attempt at winning it dates back 35 years when he was a schoolboy and leading amateur in the 1989 edition, won by Greg Turner.
Alker, 53, has told Open organisers he will compete in the 2025 Open at Millbrook Resort, starting on February 27.
It's a title he desperately wants to win and see his named etched on to the Brodie Breeze Trophy, alongside famous Kiwi golf names such as Sir Bob Charles, Campbell and Turner.
Alker finished joint runner-up with Michael Campbell when David Smail won in 2001, and Alker and Campbell were one stroke away from Australian Craig Parry the following year at Paraparaumu Beach.
"Absolutely, the aim is to be holding the trophy come the end of the tournament next year. To win the New Zealand Open is something I have always wanted to achieve and I feel that my game is in a great place in terms of consistency and performance under pressure," Alker said.
"There are some great names on that trophy and I would love to see my name on there too. I have watched a few other Kiwis get the chance to lift the trophy, I hope that 2025 is my turn."
No one could argue with his comment about his game being in a great place.
Since he joined the Champions Tour on turning 50, he has been one of its most consistent performers.
He won the Charles Schwab Cup for being the top player in 2022, was runner-up in 2023 and won it again this year.
Alker has won $16.5 million since joining the tour.
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