PHOENIX, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 10: Steven Alker of New Zealand poses with 2024 Charles Schwab Cup following the final round of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship at Phoenix Country Club on November 10, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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The battle for the Charles Schwab Cup culminates in Phoenix this week with the season-ending 36th annual Charles Schwab Cup Championship, held at Phoenix Country Club, November 13-16.
The fight for the Cup has been intense all season. Three playoff events determined the top 36 players of the PGA TOUR Champions season who are now competing in Phoenix.
A championship within a championship
At stake are two trophies – one for the Championship tournament and one for the season-long Charles Schwab Cup.
The Charles Schwab Cup winner will take home a cool $1 million bonus, and the top five finishers also receive bonus payouts from the $2.1 million pool. The tournament itself features a $3,000,000 purse (winner’s share $528,000), so those with no chance at the Cup can still leave Phoenix on a very happy season-ending financial note.
Entering the week, New Zealander Steven Alker was poised to repeat the 2024 performance that saw him hoist the Cup for the second time in three years. He sat atop the standings after a wire-to-wire win at the Simmons Bank Championship, the final playoff event.
Last year, he was just a stroke shy of taking home the Championship trophy as well, losing to ageless Bernhard Langer.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – NOVEMBER 10: Bernhard Langer of Germany poses with the Charles Schwab Cup Championship trophy following the final round of the Charles Schwab Cup Championship at Phoenix Country Club on November 10, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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Alker and his family reside in Fountain Hills, a tranquil suburb about 30 minutes east of Phoenix. He appreciates the “home game” aspect of the tournament and acknowledged his comfort level at the Par 71, 6860-yard Phoenix Country Club, where he has enjoyed success in his four previous appearances. A 2023 tournament Championship win and two Charles Schwab Cup victories (2022, 2024) certainly support that.
The 54-year old with 10 PGA TOUR Champions victories is familiar with every blade of grass on the course.
“I think there’s more premium just on hitting the fairway this year,” he noted. “They haven’t cut the rough down, they’ve let it grow. The overseed’s come in and it’s lush, so I think there’s more premium on driving the ball. I think the tee ball’s very important this week. So fairways and greens and you can score.”
14th fairway with iconic palms.
Candace Oehler
He is an avid fan of the historic, tree-lined 126-year old course located in the heart of the city.
“I think just walking on the grounds to start with is great,” he said “It’s an old school golf course that just fits my eye.”
The course layout also allows patrons much more access to players than usual, creating a fan-friendly atmosphere that even the golfers enjoy.
Said Alker, “The course set up the way it is, you can see so much golf without even having to the whole way around. And fans get a little bit closer to the players. That’s kind of part of our Tour, too. It’s a whole different vibe.”
The chase is on
Alker is certainly the favorite to win the Charles Schwab Cup again, but the other top four players in the standings still have a mathematical chance to topple him. It’s a dizzying series of “what ifs,” but if Alker falters and a number of other scenarios take place, No. 2 Miguel Angel Jiménez, No. 3 Stewart Cink, No. 4 Ernie Els or No. 5 Thomas Bjørn could overtake him.
CARNOUSTIE, SCOTLAND – JULY 26: Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez tees off on the 9th hole during day two of the Senior Open Championship presented by Rolex at Carnoustie Golf Links on July 26th, 2024 in Carnoustie, Scotland.(Photo by Kenny Smith/Getty Images)
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He is not complacent about his lead and plans to emulate World Golf Hall of Fame member Bernard Langer’s approach.
“The thing that he has done very well is he doesn’t seem to get comfortable. He just goes about his business, keeps trying to win, works hard and does the right things.”
Alker did nothing in Round One to diminish his chance of a repeat victory, starting strong with a bogey-free 66, and a share of third place. Stewart Cink could make the week interesting, however, after taking the Thursday lead at 7-under.
Off the course
Alker is proudly displaying a new logo on his bag promoting the Bob Charles Foundation. Sir Bob Charles was the first left-handed golfer to win a major championship (1963 Open Championship) and the first player to be inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame from New Zealand. Now 89, he is known for his support of junior golf and providing golf access to everybody. The Foundation’s motto is “Golf for Life.”
ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND – JULY 15: Sir Bob Charles acknowledges the crowd during the Champion Golfers’ Challenge ahead of the 144th Open Championship at The Old Course on July 15, 2015 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Ian Walton/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)
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Explained Alker, “The whole foundation is giving access to everybody in the form of a facility where they can go, hit balls, play nine holes and start in the game. Bob is committed to help grow the game. So I’m very, very honored to be an ambassador.”
Fan-friendly enhancements
The Charles Schwab Cup Championship offers family-friendly fun, reasonably-priced ticket options and easy walking.
Free Parking – Free general parking is available at Arizona Veterans Memorial Coliseum, with free shuttle service to and from Phoenix Country Club
Great free seats – Adirondack chairs will be stationed on holes 8 and 12, and are available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The Fan Zone – Located near holes 16/17.
The Autograph Zone – Located just off the 18th green.
The Oasis on 17 – $1 Birdie Beers every time a competitor makes a birdie on 17. All proceeds from the Birdie Beer promotion will be donated to the Folds of Honor Foundation.
Precision Air & Plumbing Birdies for the Brave® – All Active Duty, Military Reserve, Military Retirees, Military Veterans and National Guard Members receive up to two (2) complimentary grounds admission. They can also enjoy complimentary food at the Patriots’ Outpost on 13 Green.