Something special is brewing for Steve Alker.
The reigning Schwab Cup champion has recorded his second top-three finish in as many events, finishing in equal third at the Boeing Classic following the same result on the Legends Tour’s JCB Championship.
Alker finished nine shots back of the runaway winner Stephen Ames, finishing 10-under-par at The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge in Washington after shooting 69, 66, and 71. He led the field in driving accuracy and birdies, hitting more than 88 per cent of his fairways which he converted into 17 birdies.
He began this morning’s final round in a share of second place alongside Miguel Angel Jiminez, one shot behind Ames. However, Ames proved unstoppable, opening with an eagle at one and a birdie at six to push his lead to four with nine holes to play.
Alker managed to reduce the gap to two with five holes to go, but as Ames finished strongly, Alker faltered. Alker bogeyed 16 and doubled 17 to fall out of contention, while Ames finished four birdies and an eagle consecutively to get the job done.
Alker is projected to move up a spot into fourth in the Schwab Cup rankings. Jiminez finished solo second two shots ahead of Alker.
In Europe, Munchin Keh finished in a tie for 15th at the Big Green Egg Swedish Open after the tournament was reduced to one round due to severe weather.
Keh carded a one under 71 to finish four behind the leader, while her younger sister Wenyung and fellow Kiwi Hanee Song finished further down the leaderboard with rounds of three and four over respectively.
Jake Meenhorst, Tyler Wood, and James Hydes also played their final events on the Clutch Pro Tour in the UK. Meenhorst finished in equal 37th at even par, while Wood and Hydes missed the cut.
Finally, Danny Lee also finished well done the pack at LIV Golf Bedminster, finishing 46th at 15 over, while Michael Campbell and Michael Long still have a round to go on the Legends Tour.