KEY POINTS:
ZANDVOORT, Holland - New Zealand golfer Steve Alker captured his best European Tour result, but only after two separate rule violation inquiries in the KLM Open here today.
Alker carded a disappointing one-over final round 71 that earned him a five-way share of third place on eight under par.
The Hamilton player began the final day tied for the lead and partnered eventual winner Ross Fisher, of England, over the last round.
The 26-year old Fisher was heading for a three-stroke maiden tour victory when he three-putted both the 16th and 17th holes for bogeys before a birdie on the last to finish with a one-stroke success on 12-under par.
But no sooner had Fisher and Alker ended their rounds they were approached by two officials -- the KLM Open tournament director Miguel Vidaor and fellow Spaniard Jose Maria Zamora, the chief rules official.
The two players were taken to the 12th fairway where Fisher was quizzed over whether he moved a long runner of bramble bush in taking his stance before playing his second shot.
Both Fisher and Alker took some time before finding the divot left by Fisher, and Fisher had to explain what he did.
"The officials asked what I had witnessed but I wasn't really sure as I really wasn't paying that much attention," Alker said.
Zamora then escorted Fisher to view video footage of the incident while Alker was taken to a spot on the sixth hole where he was asked to explain his actions there before hitting into the green.
A TV viewer had contacted the Dutch club officials believing Alker may have benefited through his caddy indicating with his driver where the flag was after Alker's tee shot had ended up in bushes.
Alker had been forced to take a penalty but on explaining his actions was he was quickly cleared of any rule breaches.
"It was easily one of the most bizarre incidents I have ever been involved in," Alker said.
"My caddy did go ahead and give me a line of sight and he held up a driver to show the way but he certainly wasn't standing there with the driver held up as I played the shot.
"In fact, the driver was lying beside my bag so I was okay and Miguel was positive there had been no rules breach."
Fisher was also cleared.
Alker's result is his best finish in 56 tournaments on the European Tour.
"I am really pleased with the result though still somewhat a little disappointed not to have won considering I was sharing the lead going to the last round," Alker said.
Alker shared third place with Scotland's Alastair Forsyth (66 today), Germany's Bernhard Langer (67), Frenchman Thomas Levet (69) and Sweden's Alexander Noren (68), earning 70,400 euros ($136,000).
The results also lifted him 44 places to 140th on the Order of Merit with earnings of 143,284 euros ($276,663).
Meanwhile, Michael Campbell also captured his best result this year today on the European Tour despite an annoying last-round 69 for a six-under-par total for a share of 12th place.
- NZPA
