Steven Alker plays a tee shot. Photo: photosport
New Zealand golfer Steven Alker will go into the final round of the season opening PGA TOUR Champions event in a share of the lead.
Spanish golfer Miguel Angel Jimenez shot a 4-under-par 69 in the second round to vault into a tie with Alker at 7-under 139 at the historic Royal Golf Dar Es Salam in Rabat, in Morocco.
Alker, who is bidding for his ninth career Champions Tour victory, shared the first-round lead with Englishman Simon Griffiths.
Alker had three bogeys to offset three birdies on the front nine before carding three more birdies to close his second round.
The reigning Charles Schwab Cup winner finished with a 70 to join Jimenez with a two-stroke lead over Tim O'Neal.
Last year Alker swept the 2024 season awards, earning the prestigious 2024 Jack Nicklaus Award as Player of the Year for the second time in three seasons.
Dame Lydia Ko improves at LPGA Founders Cup
Dame Lydia Ko has made up some ground after a horror opening round at the latest LPGA Tour event, the Founders Cup, in Florida.
The world number two was tied for 97th after the first round but is now in joint 50th place and has survived the cut after a second round 3-under 68.
Dame Lydia Ko. Photo: DYLAN BUELL/AFP
Ahead of her is fellow New Zealander Fiona Xu who climbed two places and is in joint 34th place after matching her first round total of 70.
South Korean golfer Jin Young Ko leads at 12-under.
Ryan Fox climbs up leaderboard in Phoenix
Ryan Fox has also shot up the leaderboard at the PGA's Phoenix Open to recover from his 1-over par opening round.
Fox hit a 5-under 66 in the second round to sit in a tie for 33rd place.
Belgium golfer Thomas Detry holds the lead at 12 under for the tournament.
LIV tournament, Qatar Open
In the first event of the LIV golf season in Saudi Arabia, New Zealand golfer Ben Campbell is tied for 15th and compariot Danny Lee is tied at 41 after two rounds.
Adrian Meronk of Poland remains atop of the leaderboard at 16 under.
Meronk, 31, has won four times on the DP World Tour but is in position for his first LIV title after joining the circuit ahead of the 2024 season.
At the Qatar Masters, Daniel Hillier will go into tonight's third round tied for 27th. Kazuma Kobori missed the cut.
Brandon Robinson-Thompson of England has a two shot lead at 10-under-par.
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