Steven Alker, Bob Estes share Senior PGA lead at 64

By JOHN FINERAN
Associated Press

BENTON HARBOR, Mich. (AP) — On a day when birdies were flying around Harbor Shores in the first round of the Senior PGA Championship, Steven Alker began soaring with an eagle. The 50-year-old New Zealander, who already has won twice and leads the PGA Tour Champions money list with almost $1.2 million, started his round with a 25-foot downhill eagle putt on the 539-yard, par-5 10th hole after a 240-yard approach with a 5-wood. He then finished his afternoon round with his sixth birdie of the day to shoot a 7-under 64, which was tied late in the day by 56-year-old Bob Estes. Alker and Estes were a stroke ahead of Paul Claxton and Mike Weir after the first round at the Jack Nicklaus-design course on Lake Michigan.