Golf: Alker flies flag with strong final round

Steve Alker reckoned he left a couple of shots out on the Gulf Harbour course despite posting an excellent final-round 5-under 67 to finish in a six-way share of seventh at the New Zealand Open yesterday.

On some days a 15-under final total would have had Alker in the winner's circle with daylight to spare.

Still, the Hamilton 33-year-old wasn't about to grumble as he could reflect on being the top-finishing New Zealander at the Holden-sponsored Open and pocketing a cheque for just over $35,340.

"I was struggling with my putting. The greens are so good that from 10-15 feet out if you miss you feel like you're giving shots away," Alker said.

Alker, who finished tied for second at the Opens of 2001 and 2002, bagged three birdies on the front nine, two on the second and went bogey-free yesterday.

He saw no clouds on the silver lining of New Zealand Golf's first co-sanction with the European Tour.

"The course is in great shape, people have seen birdies and that's got to be good."

That said, he's a fan of moving the Open around the country.

"This is a wonderful venue. Just being an Open championship, look at the British and US Opens, they have a rota. I don't see why we don't have the same.

"The facilities might not be as good as here, but I'm sure we could cater at other venues as well."

Of the other two New Zealanders to make the cut, Stephen Scahill ended with a fine 7-under 65 yesterday to have a share of 16th at 13-under 275, and lefthander Gareth Paddison had a 69 for a share of 67th at 4-under 284.

"I was 95 per cent happy with my game," Scahill said.

"My driver was not working too well so I hit 3 woods at some holes.

"I got a good putt in at the first, perfect speed, perfect line. After that I was very confident over every putt today."

Scahill heads to the Malaysian Open this week while Alker is back on the second tier American circuit the Nationwide Tour, at the Jacobs Creek Open in Adelaide.