Former New Zealand PGA Champion Steven Alker has made headlines for all the wrong reasons while competing in his latest event in the US.
Alker, who turned pro in 1995 and has competed on the PGA, European and Australasian Tours over the past 26 years, is taking part in the Korn Ferry Tour, the second-tier tour below the PGA Tour.
Competing this week at the Simmons Bank Open in Tennessee, Alker began his opening round of the tournament in fairly fine style; with a birdie, followed by a solid par.
However, in what can only be described as a disastrous performance, Alker's game completely deserted him on the par-three third hole as he took a remarkable 13 strokes to drop the ball into the pin.
The 10-over par hole included five penalties as the 49-year-old Alker struggled to carry the ball over a large water hazard that stood in the way of himself and the green. Once Alker recorded a legitimate shot, on his 11th shot, he proceeded to two-putt the hole with ease. However, the damage was done.
