New Zealand’s Steven Alker fired a 4-under-par 68 on Saturday to take a one-stroke lead at the Boeing Classic in Snoqualmie, Wash.
The 55-year-old made a move early, getting two birdies over his first three holes, then finished with four birdies over his final eight to wrap his second straight round at 68 or better (67 on Friday).
He’s at 9-under 135 for the tournament.
Alker, an 11-time Champions Tour winner, is looking for his second win this season and first since the Cologuard Classic in March. He acknowledged that a death in the family — his wife’s mother — had affected his family in recent weeks.
“(My wife) has been supporting me for 20 years and it’s time to support her,” Alker said. “Everybody’s got stuff going on off the golf course, there’s always — but when you’re dealing with death, it’s a little bit different just to be in the right place mentally. So, starting to get there.”
American Vaughn Taylor matched Alker’s 68 with his five birdies and solitary bogey. That was good enough to land him in second place at 8 under.
Steve Flesch and Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen are tied for third at 7 under.
Flesch was 1 under for the day until he pocketed an eagle on the par-5 18th to get to 69.
Kjeldsen carded a 67 following an up-and-down day. He followed three straight birdies to open his round with a double-bogey, nearly wiping away his hot start.
He balanced another bogey with five more birdies to lower his score.
“I felt good coming out,” Kjeldsen said. “Then I birdied the first three and then I had a little hiccup after that, but straight back into playing well after. So it was — obviously it’s not a clean card, but hitting a lot of good shots, making some putts as well. I feel I’m in a good place.”
Rory Sabbatini of Slovakia had an impressive 65 on Friday, but he finished at 1-over 73 on Saturday. That left him in a tie for fifth with four players: Australia’s Richard Green (65), Notah Begay III (67), Argentina’s Angel Cabrera (69) and Jerry Kelly (71).
