Steven Alker Defends Cologuard Classic Title in Playoff

New Zealand golfer rallies from 9 shots back to win second straight tournament in Tucson

Mar. 23, 2026 at 12:08am

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New Zealand's Steven Alker shot a final round 6-under-par 65, then won a playoff against Ireland's Padraig Harrington to capture his second straight Cologuard Classic on Sunday afternoon in Tucson, Ariz. Alker achieved a remarkable comeback by rallying from nine shots behind entering play Saturday, tying a course record with a 9-under 62 to set up the playoff victory.

Why it matters

Alker's victory marks the first time the Cologuard Classic has had a back-to-back champion, highlighting his dominance on the Champions Tour. The playoff finish also adds drama to the tournament, which has now seen two straight extra sessions to determine the winner.

The details

Alker quickly made the comeback a possibility by tying a La Paloma Country Club course record with his 9-under 62 on Saturday, then picked up where he left off with three birdies over his first six holes on Sunday. An 11-time winner on the Champions Tour, Alker added birdies on Holes 9, 11 and 16, then held off Harrington with a birdie in the playoff to win his first tournament since last year's Simmons Bank Championship. An unfortunately timed bogey for Harrington on the par-4 18th necessitated the extra session, after Harrington had grabbed a one-stroke lead with his birdie on the par-3 17th.

  • Alker shot a final round 6-under-par 65 on Sunday afternoon.
  • Alker tied a La Paloma Country Club course record with a 9-under 62 on Saturday.
  • Alker won the Cologuard Classic for the second straight year.

The players

Steven Alker

A New Zealand golfer who is an 11-time winner on the Champions Tour and the first back-to-back champion of the Cologuard Classic.

Padraig Harrington

An Irish golfer who finished runner-up to Alker in the playoff at the Cologuard Classic.

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What they’re saying

“Yeah, it's great. It kind of feels like deja vu, to be honest, the way it played out. Yeah, happy to have a chance to win the golf tournament and ultimately it all worked out.”

— Steven Alker

What’s next

The Cologuard Classic will return to Tucson next year, with Alker looking to become the first player to win the event three times in a row.

The takeaway

Steven Alker's come-from-behind victory to defend his Cologuard Classic title showcases his dominance on the Champions Tour and the dramatic nature of the tournament, which has now seen two straight playoffs to determine the winner.