15 May 2015

Alker makes good start at Quail Hollow

11:53 am on 15 May 2015

The New Zealand golfer Steven Alker has made an encouraging start to the latest PGA tour event in North Carolina.

Steven Alker

Steven Alker Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Alker, who's made only three cuts on the tour this season, posted a 3-under par 69 to put him into a tie for 13th, four strokes off the lead.

The other two New Zealanders in the field Danny Lee and Tim Wilkinson have completed rounds of 71 and 74 respectively.

The American Robert Streb rode a hot putter into the lead on the opening day at Quail Hollow.

Streb dominated the par-fives, picking up birdies at all four of the long holes, en route to a bogey-free seven-under-par 65 in pleasant morning conditions.

The 28-year-old from Oklahoma headed compatriots Patrick Reed and Kevin Chappell by one stroke, while local favourite Webb Simpson was two shots back.

Streb, whose breakthrough PGA Tour victory came last October, had a mini-slump earlier this year which coincided with the arrival of a daughter in February.