Steven Alker won the Cologuard Classic on Sunday for his ninth PGA TOUR Champions title, defeating Long Island club pro Jason Caron with a 12-foot birdie putt on the first hole of a play-off at La Paloma Country Club.
Pádraig Harrington struggled on the greens all week but still found himself in the mix coming down the stretch. The three-time major winner birdied four of the opening nine holes, but two bogeys meant he was a couple of shots back at the turn. Another bogey on the 10th looked to have killed his chances, but he came roaring back with an eagle on the par-5 11th to move to -11 and back within two.
A disappointing bogey on the par-3 14th again looked to have put a pin in his hopes, but the leaders – Greg Chalmers and Rod Pampling – began to feel the pressure and Harrington again had a chance to grab a share of the lead when he faced a 12-footer for birdie on 15 but it slid by and when he bogeyed the par-3 17th after an unfortunate bounce that sent the ball screaming through the green, that was all she wrote and he ended up tied for sixth at -9.
“You’ve just got to keep knocking on the door,” Alker said. “You just grind away. I’ve had top-10s, top-fives, just been in the hunt, so it’s about being patient, just working hard on the body this pre-season.”
Alker and Caron each shot 5-under 66 to finish at 12-under 201. Alker played the back nine in 5 under with an eagle on the par-5 11th and birdies on Nos. 15-17. Caron birdied the final three holes of regulation.
Alker won the first play-off in the 11-year history of the event for his first victory since the Mitsubishi Electric Championship in January 2024. The 53-year-old New Zealander is now in second place in the Charles Schwab Cup standings behind Ernie Els.
“Just to get over that hurdle and secure that one,” Alker said. “The game’s been feeling good, just consistent week in and week out. This is what I want, just to give myself chances. Moving forwards, I’ve got a Schwab Cup to defend, so I’ve got to get going.”
The 52-year-old Caron is the head pro at Mill River in Oyster Bay, New York. He’s winless in 13 career starts on the 50-and-over tour.
Greg Chalmers, the leader after each of the first two rounds, missed a chance to join the play-off when his 8-foot birdie try on No. 18 slid past. He had a 71 to tie for third at 11 under with fellow Australian Rod Pampling (67). Els was fifth at 10 under after a 70.
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