Oct 25, 2024

Steven Alker closes with eagle for 62, takes lead at Simmons Bank Championship

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Daily Wrap Up

Steven Alker takes share of the lead with birdie on No. 17 at Simmons Bank

Written by Staff

Charles Schwab No. 2 Steven Alker opened with bogey-free 62 to take a two-stroke lead over World Golf Hall of Fame member Vijay Singh after the first round of the Simmons Bank Championship presented by Stephens.

Charles Schwab Cup standings – start: second / projected: first

He matched his low 18-hole score on PGA TOUR Champions (231st round).
- Previous instance: 2022 Rapiscan Systems Classic (2nd Round)
He matched the second-lowest round of the 2024 season by any player on PGA TOUR Champions.
- Lowest 18-hole score by any player in 2024: 61 (Ken Tanigawa, Rogers Charity Classic, 2nd Round)
This is his 12th time leading/co-leading after the first round on PGA TOUR Champions.
- Is 4-for-11 converting those into victories
The 53-year-old seeks his ninth win on PGA TOUR Champions (74th start).
- Last win: 2024 Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai
With a win on Sunday, he would become the sixth multi-time winner this season on PGA TOUR Champions.
He seeks his second win of the 2024 season (21st start).
- Has 15 top-10 finishes this season
- Entered the week No. 2 in the Charles Schwab Cup standings and is projected to take the lead
He was one of four bogey-free rounds on Friday along with Jason Caron, Miguel Angel Jimenez and K.J. Choi
In three previous appearances in the Charles Schwab Cup Playoffs, his final standing by season: 18th (2020-21), first (2022), second (2023).

Charles Schwab Cup standings – Start: 34th / Projected: 15th

He matched his low 18-hole score of the 2024 season (62nd round).
- Previous instances: Principal Charity Classic (1st Round); Rogers Charity Classic (Final Round)
The 61-year-old seeks his sixth win on PGA TOUR Champions (156th start).
- Last win: 2023 Ally Challenge
Making his 21st start of the 2024 season, he has five top-10 finishes.
- Best finish of 2024: T3 (PURE Insurance Championship)
The World Golf Hall of Fame member has 34 PGA TOUR wins, 14th-most all time.

After Sunday’s final round, the top 36 players in the standings will qualify for the Charles Schwab Cup Championship.
After the first round of the Simmons Bank Championship, Jason Caron is projected to move into the top 36.

Club professional (Mill River Club in New York) Jason Caron opened with bogey-free 65 and sits T3. Starting the week No. 53 in the Charles Schwab Cup standings, he is projected to move to No. 35th.
World Golf Hall of Fame Retief Goosen made two eagles en route to 7-under 65 and sits T2. The 55-year-old seeks his second win of the 2024 season (20th start).
- Previous win: The Galleri Classic (March 29-31)
Thomas Bjørn (T2) played his final three holes in 4-under en route to an opening 65. The 53-year-old seeks his first win on PGA TOUR Champions (23rd start).
- Best finish: second (2024 Trophy Hassan II)
Koreans K.J. Choi and Y.E. Yang, who entered the week Nos. 5 and 7 in the Charles Schwab Cup standings respectively, are T6 at 6-under along with Miguel Ángel Jiménez.
Charles Schwab Cup leader Ernie Els birdied his last three holes to shoot 3-under 69 and sits T16.
Arkansas native Ken Duke (T33) opened with even-par 72. In 1987, he won the Arkansas men’s golf state championship individual title, which was held at Pleasant Valley Country Club.